Vacation Recap

I have attempted to write this post a handful of times.  I'm not sure what the difficulty seems to be, other than our family vacation was truly amazing and I don't think I can simply sum it up.  But here it goes.

16 of us (9 of which were children ages 2-8) traveled together from Minnesota to California.  The primary reason for this trip was a family reunion on Monkey Toe's side and a Novena for the five year anniversary of his Grandfather's passing.  Over a year ago, it was decided that we would take a little side vacation to Disneyland.  We kept this a secret from the kids until the first morning we traveled to Disney.  The plan was to make the announcement after breakfast, to which we expected lots of squeals, hugs, and smiles.  The kids were all gathered and I said, "yesterday was a pretty tough day of travel.  Because we had some behavioral issues, we will not be going swimming today.  Instead, we will be going to DISNEYLAND!"  Three of the nine children began to cry, because they really wanted to go swimming.  We soon discovered that the kids had no idea what Disneyland is.  They soon learned what it was and forgot about swimming for the 3 days we spent there.  My Disney highlights included going on the ride, It's a Small World, with all of my girls.  They absolutely loved it and their enthusiasm brought a huge smile to my face and a tear to my eye.  The final day I spent with my boys and we rode Splash Mountain.  Afterwards, we found a shady spot in New Orleans Square and shared Frozen Lemonades and Churros, while listening to a jazz band.  It was a perfect ending to our time at Disney.

The remainder of our vacation was spent in the San Juaquin Valley with family.  I met some of Monkey's relatives for the first time, who had traveled from Guam.  We all gathered at Monkey's Grandmother's house, and each evening we prayed the Rosary, followed by dinner.  This time that was spent with family, especially Grandma, was absolutely precious.  Tears flowed as we said goodbye.  One of the most emotional parts for me is the tradition of driving by Grandma's house (after we've said goodbye), with all of the family in the front yard waving as we drive past.  This is my family through marriage and I can only imagine how Monkey was feeling as we drove away.

Unlike most vacations, or even long weekends away, I wasn't ready to come home.  I wanted to stay longer, as did the kids.  I think it was a combination of relishing in the gift of time granted with family and also knowing that this was our last hurrah for the summer; that upon our return home, the kids would be back in school, Monkey would be back at work, and our lives would be back to their routines.  We had nine days of family focused time and it was marvelous.

I am grateful for the gift that this trip afforded us - a memorable and fun family vacation.  I am humbled by those who helped to make this trip possible.  I am grateful that my kids experienced another part of family.  Above all, I am blessed that my heart grew in love and thanksgiving.

23 of us at Disney and no one got lost!

Sweet Pea and Pumpkin at the end of the day

The first time the kids dipped their toes in the ocean

Life's Theme Song

Have you ever thought of your life in terms of a theme song?  Lately, there have been two songs playing on Christian radio that my kids have declared are mine and Monkey Toe's Songs.  This morning as I was driving the kids to school and the radio was on, Sweet Potato said, "here's your song Mom."  So let me introduce you to my Theme Song:  Do Everything by Steven Curtis Chapman

Your picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door

While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?

Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Maybe your that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name

You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same

While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every thing you do

Maybe your sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe your working at the office
Singing along with the radio

Maybe your dining at a 5-star
Or feeding orphans in the...
Anywhere and everywhere that you are

Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget

As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do

Here is the song the kids have deemed as Dad's Song:  This Is The Stuff by Francesca Battistelli

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

45 in a 35
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

Oh Oh Oh Oh
This is the stuff You use

 I think it's pretty creative that the kids see our lives in terms of a song. 

Happy Birthday to our Blessed Mother!

Today is the day that Christians traditionally celebrate Mary's birthday.  It actually is a tradition that dates back almost 15 centuries.  This evening we had a birthday party for our Spiritual Mother.  After dinner, we had birthday cake (white cake with blue frosting - white symbolizes purity and blue is the color associated with Mary).  We sang Happy Birthday and each of the kids blew out a candle (I had to light a couple of them twice!). 

 

We then headed outside to our Mary Garden and each of the kids presented her with their gift.  The boys and the two younger girls gave her flowers, Cucumber drew her a picture of flowers, and Gummi Bear made a craft using leaves and twigs.

We ended our celebration by praying the Rosary.  Afterwards, I explained to the kids that each time we pray a Hail Mary we present a rose to Mary.  The Rosary is like a whole bouquet of roses for our Blessed Mother.  Cucumber responded, "then I think we should give her some more."  She then went back to the garden and prayed another Hail Mary. 

As a daughter, a wife and a mother, I find great support in my relationship to Mary.  She is someone who I frequently am asking for prayers.  Since she too was a daughter, wife and mother, I know she can present my concerns and my requests with great compassion and understanding to her Son.  I find comfort in knowing that I have a Spiritual Mother who will intercede for me throughout this life.  Mary will always lead us to Jesus.  God gave us a beautiful gift when he gave us Mary. 

Sweet Potato Turns 9

My oldest child is nine years old today.  I can't quite wrap my head around that.  He is a great kid and he makes me proud everyday.

I found out I was pregnant for the first time after experiencing a gall bladder attack.  The earliest I could have surgery was two months out - due to the surgeon's schedule.  Everyday I felt horrible and sick.  One day my sister said enough was enough.  She was taking me to Urgent Care to see if my surgery could be moved up at all.  After a few tests, the doctor came back and said she had good news and bad news.  The bad news was that my surgery would have to wait quite awhile, because of the good news.  I was pregnant.  I was a bit stunned.  We of course were open to the gift of life, but the reality of actually having a baby seemed surreal.

I couldn't wait to tell Monkey Toes.  We were living in a small, one bedroom apartment at the time.  We had one, very small window that looked out at the parking lot.  I stood by that window for what seemed liked hours, watching for when Monkey would pull into the lot.  Wouldn't you know, he was running late that night, and when he did get home, he had a pair of hockey skates draped around his neck.  He walked in the door and I asked, "what are those for?"  He said, "I've decided we should take up skating."  Ha!  I waited until he was eating supper and then gave him a card about being a dad.  He read it, looked at me, then looked back at the card and then smiled.  Then we got on the phone and started calling EVERYONE.

I was sick for my first trimester - as I have been for each of my pregnancies.  I also began to retain water very early on, forcing me to remove my wedding band and wear flip-flops.  Preparing for our first baby consumed our lives.  We bought a house, prepared the nursery, and did everything "by the book" (that would be the book, What to Expect When Your Expecting).  Two weeks leading up to the actual delivery, I was contracting every night, causing sleep deprivation for both me and Monkey.  Then every morning - in the early hours - my contractions would subside and we would go on with our day.  September 6th is a day that changed our lives forever.

I had been sleeping on the sofa, because I could no longer get comfortable in our bed.  I woke up with a sharp pain.  I told Monkey that I thought this was it and we should go.  We drove to the hospital, only to be sent back home.  I was devastated.  Physically and emotionally I was drained and I cried most of the way home.  Monkey ran a bath for me and as I sat in the tub, I began having contractions, very close together.  I called for Monkey to time them and he said they were about 3 minutes apart.  I told him we were not going to the hospital until we were certain I was in labor.  I didn't think I could handle being sent home again.  Being a little nervous, Monkey called my sister who is a nurse and she happened to be working in town that day.  She came over and said she was making the decision for us.  It was time to go to the hospital NOW. 

We arrived at the birthing center and our room was awaiting us.  There was little time to spare as my contractions were now on top of each other.  The doctor came and said it was time to meet this little person.  My sister and Monkey Toes were in the room with me.  When Sweet Potato was born, my sister yelled out, "It's a boy!", before the doctor could announce it.  We were ecstatic.

For me, it was love at first sight.  I couldn't take my eyes off of him.  The first evening we were home, Monkey Toes sat in the nursery all night, watching Sweet Potato sleep.  That of course wore off by the third night, but none the less, it is a memory I hold very dear.

Today, Sweet Potato is a bright and enthusiastic kid.  He loves sports (especially statistics), game shows, desserts, family get-togethers, and what I sometimes refer to as "useless" knowledge.  He is compassionate towards others hurts and likes going to Mass and yes, even confession.  This young lad of mine, who often worries like I do, stole my heart 9 years ago today.  I don't ever want it back!  I love you Sweet Potato - always and forever!

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

Our neighbors moved in next door a little over a year ago.  We see them often outdoors in the yard during the summer and then not so often in the winter.  They recently had a baby and last night I brought them supper.  This morning, I saw the dad outside and gave him a gift for the new baby.  He graciously accepted it and then said, "I think I should tell you that my wife's name is This and not That."  I have been calling her the wrong name all this time and I'm pretty sure I called her by name at least 3 or 4 times during my visit last evening.  I am extremely embarrassed.  Each time I give a thought to this, my face turns red.  The husband actually had a really great sense of humor about the situation.  I told Monkey Toes about it and he said it sounds about right that I would do such a thing.  I guess a little humble pie is good for us all from time to time.  I just wish I didn't serve it up so often!

Young Scholars

We are back from vacation and settling back into "real life" pretty well.  I'll be posting about our trip very soon, however, this morning I had two conversations that I want to record less I forget.

Me and Sweet Potato. . .

Me:  Would you like to participate in Community Education's Flag Football?
Sweet Potato:  Hmmm.  I'm intrigued.  Flag football fascinates me and I would like to learn more about it.

Me and Cucumber. . .

Me:  Should we go grocery shopping today?
Cucumber:  Yes.  Shall we go before or after we pick the children up from school?

We return home from vacation and my children have become young scholars.  Some days I feel so inadequate!

California or Bust

5 suitcases (Sweet Pea & Pumpkin are sharing) and 6 backpacks and our kids are ready to travel

We are leaving on vacation for 8 days.  As I was sharing with a few people this morning, I'm not sure where my anxiety ends and my excitement begins.  We have been planning this trip for over a year.  It felt as though it would never come and now, here it is.  We are flying, which makes me feel a bit overwhelmed.  I think I am more nervous about people's reactions to our family as we travel, than actually traveling with my children.  The last time we flew with children was 4 years ago.  We had 4 kids, with Cucumber being just a few months old.  We had booked the Red Eye, and as a result, we had very restless, cranky children.  I remember boarding the plane for our return trip home and being at my breaking point.  Passenger after passenger were passing by us, some rolling their eyes, others looking perturbed.  Then one woman approached our aisle, placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "You have a beautiful family."  With that simple gesture, I began to cry, feeling a bit relieved that someone understood.  So this time, I am going to try my best to not stress out so much.  I want this to be a memorable and happy family trip.  At this point we have done all we can do to prepare.  Now, we just go with the flow.  I'm not sure how much blogging I'll be doing, if any, while gone.  So stay tuned, because I'm sure I'll have plenty to share when I return.