Loads

In the morning I load up on caffeine.  I load and unload the dishwasher.  I do many loads of laundry during the week.  I upload pictures and download files.  I often say to the kids, "time to load up the van!", and when we reach our destination I yell, "let's unload!" I have often been told that I have a boat-load of children.  I feel I have hit the mother-load with the blessings in my life.  And at the end of the day, I look forward to taking a load off.  Good night!

Pumpkin is 2

Two years ago today, Monkey and I welcomed Pumpkin Pie into our family.  The past couple of years has flown by, as time usually does.  It has truly been a joyous ride!

I found out I was pregnant for the sixth time because, once again, I was having a test done for something else.  I was sitting with my doctor and she was asking me some preliminary questions.  One of them was, "Are you pregnant?"  I said, "I don't think so, but I guess anything is possible."  We continued with the questionnaire and at the end she explained that completing this certain test could terminate a pregnancy.  Dr. K, knowing me as well as she does, advised that I take a pregnancy test just to error on the side of caution.  A short time later, she came back into the office, sat down, and said, "congratulations.  You are pregnant."  I truly was a bit stunned.  Monkey Toes and I have always been open to the gift of life, so expecting another child should not have been a huge surprise, except that Sweet Pea was only a few months old at the time.  I think out of nervousness and shock, I began to giggle and cry (I promise they were tears of joy!).  I left the clinic and drove straight to Monkey Toes' work.  I sat down at his desk with him and said, "Well, it's not exactly the news I was expecting.  We're pregnant."  His first response was, "Who's the father?"  Now, before you shriek in horror at his comment, you simply have to understand his sense of humor.  It's just that this information wasn't even in our radar.  He did laugh, gave me a hug and kiss and said, "I really am excited."

I went into labor the night of July 7th.  My contractions were getting stronger, but they still were 8 minutes apart.  After a few hours of this, Monkey announced that it was time to go.  I didn't want to, but I know he was getting a little nervous and seeing as we had been down this road a few times before, we just weren't sure how fast things would progress.  The next morning, Pumpkin greeted us with a healthy scream, but was quickly comforted in my arms.  Monkey brought all the kids to the hospital to meet her.  Sweet Pea was a little unsure about this new person, but she gave her a kiss with a bit of cajoling from us.

Pumpkin is a lively and loud two year old.  Because she is the youngest, she wants to make her voice heard!  One of the many things I love about her is how she swings her left arm when she is trying to get somewhere quickly.  It's almost as if it helps propel her forward.  She has a bright smile, a growing vocabulary, a stubborn streak from time to time, and enjoys taunting her siblings.  When she stands up on the changing table after a diaper change, she always wraps her arms around my neck.  When I go to pick her up in the morning from her crib, she has a smile on her face and says, "la love lue (I love you)".  She is a bundle of energy.  I love you Pumpkin.  You bring true joy to our family and each of our lives!

4th of July

Sweet Potato on the zip line

Our holiday weekend was fun and busy and very memorable.  Monkey Toes worked a short day on Friday and had Monday off, so we really wanted to take advantage of family time together.  Our first event was a trip to Bakers Park Reserve on Saturday.  We packed a picnic lunch, played on the playground and of
course, went swimming.  The older kids loved the lake, but the younger two were quite cautious.  Eventually Sweet Pea made it into the water, far enough to sit, but Pumpkin wouldn't leave the steps.  We only spent about 3 hours total at the park, but it felt like we had been there longer.  Everyone, except for Cucumber was ready to leave.  She cried and cried and cried.  About 5 miles down the road she fell asleep, as did all the kids in my van.

Gummi on the zip line

When we arrived home, everyone was still really tired.  Everyone took a bath or shower and then Gummi and I headed to Mass.  Afterwards, Monkey Toes suggested ravioli for supper.  It was frozen, so we knew it would take some time before we could eat.  But we prepared it anyway and popped in a movie for everyone to watch.  When the timer rang, the kids scurried to the table - all very hungry.  We served everyone up, said our meal prayer and dug in, only to find out that the middle of the ravioli was still frozen.  So to many disgruntled children, we popped it back into the oven.  Like any good parent, I served the dessert first, second course was garlic bread, and finally, the ravioli.

Monkey Toes & Pumpkin

Sunday night was fireworks at Monkey Toes brother's house.  They were set off at the end of the drive-way and the  kids had front row seats.

                                

Monday was a parade in a neighboring community.  Peanut Butter kept confusing the parade with a circus.  He asked me, "Will we see elephants?"  "No honey.  There won't be any elephants."  "How about monkeys?"  "Sorry, no monkeys.  But I bet we'll see horses!"  "That's it?"  I hope he wasn't too disappointed.

We got home in time to eat lunch - cold cereal.  We were all too tired to do much else.  I did bake a red, white & blue cake and upon Honey Bunches request, we all sang The Star Spangled Banner and Happy

                                                 Birthday to America.  All in all it was a great weekend, simply made joyful by all being together!

Lemonade and Face Paint

I was groggy this morning as I exited my bedroom.  The first comment came from Sweet Potato who said, "Remember Mom, you said we could make homemade lemonade this morning."  Yes, I did tell him that last night, mostly as a diversion from having to do it.  So at 7:30 AM, my four oldest kids and I were making fresh-squeezed lemonade.

 Each took a turn with the juicer and all was going well.  Then Sweet Pea woke up and came into the kitchen whimpering.  I asked, "what's wrong honey?"  She then threw up in the middle of the kitchen.  The other kids scattered - so quickly, as a matter of fact, that you would have thought someone was offering free ice-cream in the other room.  So our lemonade making was put on hold while the floor and Sweet Pea were cleaned up.

A little while later, the boys left with their Grandpa to go fishing for the next couple of days.  It's just the girls and I (and Monkey Toes) until Friday.  It's amazing how the dynamics change in our household when our numbers decrease.  The girls are very content playing with one another.  The t.v. goes off and their imaginations take flight.  Gummi Bear and Cucumber asked if they could paint my face (pretend).  They had paintbrushes and multi-colored pieces of paper, which served as their paint.  I offered to find a recipe to make our own face paint and of course they became very excited.  We found the following recipe:

1 tsp corn starch
1/2 tsp water
1/2 tsp cold cream
2 drops food coloring

We used a muffin tin to mix and keep our paint.  I let each of the girls paint at least one other cheek, mine included.  We turned on some Go Fish in the background and had a fabulous time.  Even Pumpkin got to participate.  We will definitely be doing this activity again.

AAACK!!!!!

Yesterday we took the kids to a lake for the afternoon.  As we were preparing to leave, I put my swimsuit on and looked absolutely dreadful.  It is different shades of pink with a tie on the side and spaghetti straps.  It is really, REALLY horrible.  So I wound up calling my sister and borrowing a suit from her to get me through the day.  As I was combing through the ads for the upcoming week, one of the stores had a 60% off swimwear sale.  So today I ventured out in pursuit of the "perfect" suit.

Let me begin by explaining that I have not purchased a swimsuit since 1995.  Honestly.  I was a senior in college and I was going on a spring break trip to Cancun with my friends.  My mom brought me to JCPenney's and bought me a black, one piece with gold appliques.  I thought it was stylish, but when I look back at pictures I wonder what I was ever thinking.  It reminded me of sailing away on a yacht with the Howells (Gilligan's Island).  I've since used my sisters hand-me-downs.

This afternoon I arrived at the store and walked straight to the swimwear section.  There was only one rack of suits left to select from, and the variety was slim.  I found a swim skirt that I liked and then chose a tank to try.  I spent about an hour analyzing, debating, talking myself out of and talking myself into a suit.  Do I love it?  No.  Do I hate it?  No.  I will admit that I am comfortable in it and it covers up many of my child-bearing forever keepsakes.  However I look at it, it is a huge improvement from what I currently possess.

Noise

One of the reasons I love going to Eucharistic Adoration is for the opportunity to empty myself in order to be filled with Christ.  Today, my mind was so filled with noise that I struggled to hear Jesus and tune everything else out.  As I knelt to pray, the last song I heard on the radio was playing in my head (Jamie Grace, Hold Me).  Then a whole list of what I needed to do and should do started to fill my thoughts.  I was really frustrated.  The more I attempted to focus on the presence of Christ, the more distracted I became.  So I sat with the Scripture readings for today.  It actually is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sacred is synonym to Divine and Heart is synonym to Love).  The readings were all about God's Divine Love.  It was, however, the Gospel reading that pierced through the noise and resonated in my heart.
 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
                                                                                                                    Matthew 11:28-30
What I needed most today was rest;  not necessarily sleep, but simply a break from the incredible noise in my life.  I find it so easy to busy myself with mundane tasks, always thinking about my next move.  Today, however, I heard Christ telling me to take a step back and to simply be in His presence.  Give my worries, my troubles to Him and He will clear out the noise.  Once again, I came away from Adoration with exactly what I needed, without knowing what it was going in to it.  As we approach this Fourth of July weekend, my heart has moved from wanting to accomplish my check list, to enjoying this gift of time with my family.  The only noise I want is that of my family, living life and glorifying God for His gift of Divine Love and Grace.  This I offer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Heatwave

I think I can safely say that summer has arrived.  This current heat wave we are experiencing is making outdoor activities a bit of a challenge.  The kids want to go out, but soon find themselves coming indoors to cool off.  Even running through the sprinkler seems to be short lived.

We have the honor of watching Peanut Butter for the next couple of days.  He is fitting in well with my children.  The ages of my kids are 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, 2.  Peanut Butter is 5, so he fits in perfectly with the equation.  So far our day has consisted of playing in the backyard, watching Joseph, King of Dreams, eating, praying the Rosary, and singing karaoke.  It's only 1:00.  Everyone is now down for a nap - yes, EVERYONE.  I'll be on my way to Adoration shortly, while my mom comes to sit.  I can only imagine what our afternoon will consist of! I have no doubt it will be busy.