7 Quick Takes: Sickness, Birthday, DC visits, and Derby

 

 

1). It's been a long time!  Happy New Year!  I'm glad I didn't make any kind of resolutions to blog more or anything like that.  We are back in the school swing, though some days, I think James would prefer to be on vacation.  He asked me on the first day back if he had to go to school again tomorrow?  Yep. You do, kid.  My Patrick has mid-terms, and decided this would be the perfect time for the flu.  Seriously, kid?  We were due for our Epiphany house blessing and visit with our priest who married us, but had to cancel.  I am so bummed!  I am currently spraying all surfaces with thieves, diffusing my VERY last bit and praying.  The stomach bug went through the house around Christmas, and unfortunately it is still around at school.  I am wishing we didn't have to worry about the sickness during this time of year. We have had crazy Virginia weather (in other words, totally unpredictable hot and cold) so it hasn't helped with the germs. Praying that I am doing the best for my kids and getting them healthy. 

 

 

 

2). On New Year's Eve, we went to DC to meet up with my sister and her family in for the Congressional swearing in.  We enjoyed a quick visit to the Botanic Gardens.  My first time there.  I can't wait to go back!  We also were able to go with my brother in law to some special places in the Capital, and I was actually able to hear the whispering in the whisper chamber!  Dinner at Union Station, and a beautiful walk in DC and time with family was one of the best gifts our family could have!

 

 

3) My Emma had a birthday, and though I am not doing a whole blog post, I wanted to mention that my very tall, very sweet, and loving daughter has turned 12.  Twelve!  She has bigger feet than me, and is determined to be taller than me. I'm not sure I will allow it, but I am so thrilled with her joy of reading, coloring, and joy of singing for the Lord.

 

 

4) So, to piggyback above, the rest of my kids decided to get sick.  I knew there was something amiss with James, and Patrick had the flu, but when James tested positive for strep, I tried to make sure that we didn't have any others, especially when Patrick's fever spiked super high after he was feeling better, and he threw up (classic Patrick strep symptom).  Well, the odds were against me.  5 for 5 tested positive!  I find medicine amazing.  They were better almost immediately!

 

 

 

5) The annual Pinewood Derby happened this month, and my boys did quite well.  My big boys (Tommy and Patrick) worked the track, and the cars.  The little guys raced their cars.  William's den was the fastest den of all.  Super proud!

 

James won this race.  His car is lane 1.

 

6) Our diocese has a new bishop!  I am so excited to say that I we went to a Mass at our parish and were able to meet him.  I forgot about asking for a blessing, and didn't quite say everything I wanted to say, but it was special to be there.  His secretary asked my kids, "What do you call a bishop?"  Patrick's response was "your Holiness" which I knew wasn't correct.  Father Wagner got a twinkle in his eye and left us to our own resources, so we had to talk to him to be sure we knew the correct answer. 

 

 





7) Today is the March For Life in DC.  My husband decided to take the oldest 3 with him today.  Cold weather, extra security with the Vice President speaking, and shorter legs than his made for a very long day, but I know they will come home feeling good.  Prayerful and joyful experience is my goal. 

 

 

 

That's all for now.  As I am limited to 7 on this blustery day.  Go visit Kelly to see more!

7 Quick Takes: Birthday, Halloween, and When The Saints Go Marching In

 

Linking up with Kelly for my sporadic blogging of 7 quick takes.

 

1).  Tommy's birthday was a busy day, but we managed to have cake and sing to him about 7:45 at night.  Great time for extra dose of sugar.  We love our Daddy so much!  

 

 

2). Halloween at school gives the kids a Penny Bazaar.  It's an hour of games, cupcakes, prizes (win or lose the game) and fun.  James went around with his 4th grade "buddy" to help him navigate the games, and I had only Lucy, and helped run the game for James' class, being one of the room liaisons.

 



 

3). Halloween was an extra special event this year.  Emma invited a new girl from school to come out with us along with her cousin.  One of them had never been Trick or Treating before, so it was a treat for us to be part of the excitement that the girls had.

 

 

 

We had Captain America, a sweet Bumble Bee, Linus and Charlie Brown and 3 cowgirls. We got a little bit of a late start since I always insist on taking pictures.  I decided to go around the neighborhood until the little guys got tired (and I got too cold).

 

 

Lucy was fully aware of the joys of candy in the bucket, and held on tightly to the pink bucket she got from her favorite Miss Marjorie.  She is still holding the bucket.  And, when she took a break in the stroller her sweet William kept putting candy in her pumpkin to be sure she had some as well.

 

 

4).  The next day was one of my favorite traditions at All Saints: the Parade of Saints by the 3rd grade at Mass.  Though all through the school are presentations on saints. 

 

William was Saint Stephen, the first martyr.  He chose the Deacon garb, and my talented mother made the costume.  Really, the whole group had some amazing costumes, and it was so impressive to see the details that each child focused on for their saint.  Most were immediately identifiable!

  

 

 

5).  As we have begun the month of the poor souls ("Pray for the dead, and the dead will pray for you" sung to the tune of the funeral march) we have taken time to go visit our big cemetery nearby.  This is the Confederate Cemetery, though I have been visiting it for 30 years and never realized that it had this in the back.  I love the peace of a graveyard, and I love sharing the traditions of the All Saints, All Souls feasts. 

 

My sister Jenn has a great post to help us remember why and what to do, because I forget every year.

 

 

6). We try very hard to say a daily rosary.  Some days are easier than others, but I love the phase that we have begun.  We have 5 children and I couldn't wait until all the kids could lead a decade on their own.  I was one of 7, but one of the younger ones, so I was always more willing to lead and did quite often as I was young.  It's a silly milestone, but one I was eager to reach.

 

All the kids can pray a decade alone.  Lucy volunteers (Me! ME! Me!!!) each time I announce a new mystery and she can say all the prayers.  It's adorable, and just makes my heart melt. 

 

7). I am going to admit something, of which you probably could already figure out because I am not a patient person.  I don't like museums.  They are not fun to go to with a gaggle of kids.  All of the kids are at different stages, all enjoy different things, and all seem to go in all different directions when we get there.  It's the stress of stopping, hurrying, counting, and when we leave, I often feel like I haven't seen anything except the backs of my kid's heads, so when Tommy suggests a museum, I usually put up a bit of a fight.

 

But I think this one changed my views.

 

We stopped at the Marine Corps Museum the other day, all dressed up after going to Mass.  I wasn't sure how it would go, but I just want to say that this place is AWESOME.  Each kid had fun, and each section had something that would capture each child's attention. 

 

I don't often say this, but I would like to go back to that museum. 

7QT: Ants go Marching, CWBN, Lucy and Honesty

Linking Up with Kelly for a 7 Quick Takes

1) We have survived the first weeks of school!  James has done really well, has come home talking about "my friend" in his class, and learning all the ins and outs of kindergarten.  I am especially excited that he wants to show me all his work!  He was the one I was worried about, since it was his first time in all day school. 

2) Lucy is the only child at home with Mommy and seems to get in more trouble when the kids come home.  She talks so much, complete sentences.  Runs to find exactly what you need her to find.  When you call her name, she says, "Yes?"

On the drive home from school, Lucy gets louder as she tries to make herself heard over all the kids.  So she says my name over and over and over again, and doesn't really have anything to say so she has a phrase: "Yogurt raisins all gone."  Sometimes drawn out, sometimes fast, but she knows it's nonsensical, but she smiles and says it anyways.

She is also THE most polite child. Her "thank yous" come after anyone does anything for her. Including change her diaper!  She says "'scoos me, Mommy!" when she interrupts and will say please more than I ever have to prompt her. Even when she is upset she will scream her polite "pleeeeeeeease!"

Her awesome curls are the talk of everywhere we go, and she has begun to notice what people say.  "Lucy's hair curly?  Lucy's hair curly."   I can't believe she is almost 2! 

3) At the beginning of September, I took a drive into Front Royal to meet some amazing Catholic bloggers at a Conference (CWBN mid Atlantic).  Some of my favorites were there, and kept me a bit tongue-tied.  The extrovert in me wanted to meet everyone, make connections and just be friends with as many as I could.  But the introvert in me won out.  I don't often take the time to do things for "me" including retreats, or even enough going out with Moms to make new friends.  I had an great time listening to the talks (by Elizabeth Foss, Mary Lenaburg, Jenny Ryan, and hosted by the sweet Rosie Hill and emceed by Kelly), but I think I wasn't prepared to learn so much, and all I could think of was that I don't fit in this group.  I struggled a lot that day, and wished I had been better prepared, and really ready to open up in groups, open my heart to new friends, and squelch that dreadful feeling of inferiority.

I have sat down to blog about it many times, but the words don't want to come.  Mary encouraged me to share exactly what I am feeling, and to be more vulnerable, and even share on Facebook.  Baby steps.



 4) Tommy and I celebrated our 14th anniversary on September 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  I went to Mass with my little kids' school, and I love hearing the same readings we heard all those years ago.  We didn't celebrate that day, but Tommy took of the next day.  We spent the day just being together, and actually went to a shooting range.  My first experience with a gun, and Tommy's first time shooting a pistol.  I was the flincher in the corner, when we first got into the room, jumping at the (really) loud guns going off.  I have to say once I got past the nervousness, I did okay.  And may even go back!  Who says you need a date night?  Date days are even better!  Especially when you have wonderful friends who will watch Lucy for the morning.

5) James has joined the boys in the house and become a Lion Scout!  The cutest little guy around is doing the pilot program in the local Pack, and he is so excited!  It's a very easy, once a month thing with the little boys, and we had the first meeting at our house.  I loved the joy of all the little boys and their parents who came for the meetings.  I teased Tommy that any parent that offers to help or lead gets first dibs in the small den.  :) 

6) Our ants have died.  They didn't last very long, but absolutely fascinating to see the progression of the ants building the tunnels.  I am still opposed to any more pets, as I can barely keep up with the humans I have in my home already.

7) The beautiful Rachel Cupps was so generous to offer new headshots of the ladies that attended the conference, and it took me some time to get up the noive to put myself in front of the camera.  But, I did, and I am so glad I have a photo that shows me my wrinkles, and the extra layers of age on my face, as well as the new dress and necklace that I just love. 

7 QT Notes From the Infirmary

Oh June.  You have not been kind to us in the health department.  I think I need a refund, a do over!

7QT

1). I am going to preface this with a statement. 
I vaccinate.  I have done them all (except that teenager one), but I do them at a little slower pace.  The pediatrician is very sweet and understanding.  I don't like to do too many at one time, but I do them.  I send my kids to school, and I will be sure they are all ready to go. 

So, when my William and James came to me with VERY suspicious looking spots, similar to chicken pox, I was concerned.  This was early June. 

A visit to the doctor where we were "quarantined" in a room, and the doctor says, well, looks like chicken pox.  Though the boys have had their shots (one child has had both doses, the other just one), and maybe we should do a blood test.  Okay.  That, by itself was not fun either.

(For my own remembering: the lesions were just on the trunk, and were not clear filled.  They were more like pus filled.  And not itchy either.  William had a lot more than James.) 

Then, there was the waiting.  Waiting to see what the tests say.  The doctor calls to say that yes, the boys have chicken pox. And "atypical" chicken pox. Treat it as such.  Now, when you look up this disease, it throws these numbers and words at you like "incubation is 2-3 weeks" "contagious 3 days before the spots come out" "not contagious until all the lesions crust over" or even some very conflicting numbers. 

oh-Kaaay.

2).  William stayed home for more than a week, as it took that long for this atypical rash to crust over.  Thankfully, it wasn't too bad.  But, as it would happen, we had family members coming into town.  The difficulty was that we were unsure what would happen.  Our kids (all but Lucy) have had the varicella shot(s).  But this is a mild case, will the others get it too?  Who is next?  how long do we have to wait this out?  The kids, bless their hearts, couldn't understand why we were not able to see any cousins any friends, or do certain things.  It was a cloud hanging over our family.  We felt like we needed a sign to say "unclean" so others would avoid us.

We had some VERY interesting reactions to our disease.  One lady said she was ready to send her daughter over to catch it.  One family said Tommy couldn't come over, as they were worried he (who has already had the chicken pox) was a carrier.  The school had to send out a letter to tell the class.  (Though, in typical William fashion, the kids played Chicken Pox tag the day he came back.  LOL  Love that kid)   It was quite interesting.  We had folks question what the doctor said, how I was handling it, how many days to do what, and it was exhausting and feeling a bit like

3). Fast forward 2-3 weeks later.  James has his birthday, and then a well-checkup.  This doctor is my favorite as he speaks my language, and has known our family for 13 years.  All my kids.  He is trying to figure out about this blood work thing, and if they had the virus.  He says:
"The blood work says they did not have chicken pox."  It showed they had no immunity to it, and showed they never had levels raised like they had the virus in them. 

?? um, what??

Should we be worried that there is some kind of immune disorder?  Is it just the shots?  Why didn't it show up after 2 shots?  My head is spinning.  The doctor says we need to do more research and need more appointments, etc.  Oh my. 

4). So, what did they have?  We are very unsure now.  And, really, I want those 2-3 weeks back!  It was so humbling, and so frustrating.  I was an emotional wreck all those days, and was very hurt by some of the treatment (because I am a highly sensitive person.  I try.  Really but it is VERY tough not to take things personally) we had. 

So.  NOT chicken pox. 

5). Last week, 4 children, over the course of 4 days, threw up at least once.  Sometimes my kids will do that with strep, but it all seemed to behave more like a stomach bug.  Tommy and Patrick had a camping trip to Gettysburg so I was home with 4 kids. 

I have never been invited to so many things in one weekend as I was this past one.  Kids were included, pools were involved, good friends, and family.  All had to be cancelled.  Yes, there is a bit of a pity party going on here about the weekend, but the kids were supposed to have fun too!!!  Another mystery illness.

6). If you have made it this far, thank you.
This week is Vacation Bible School. We are all involved.  James gets to attend with William.  Patrick and Emma get to volunteer with me.  It was supposed to be wonderful. 

I knew things would be different when I had to move from the music station to be a group leader with Patrick as my helper.  Who was Awesome, by the way.  It was a neat day to have a different perspective.  And I think things will go back to normal the rest of the week. 

(Really?  Who am I kidding.  We are already on #6.  I'm done for.) 

Nope.  Tuesday night, James comes down with fever.  I stay home the next day.  Wednesday gets William going to bed at 5, which means he (we) are home again.  We even take James for a strep test, which turns out negative (though I was going to have all 5 checked out right then and there if it was positive).  Anyone else keeping track of the mystery illnesses we have had?  Yeah, me neither.

7).  I think I would like a do over.  I know.  I know.  I am not in charge.  My priority is my children.  To take care of them, and my home.  But I am not doing well in the housekeeping area (21 month old who gets into everything and eats all.day.long will make everything harder) and I am worried that I am not caring for them well as they have been sick all month, or so it seems.  It just has been really stressful.  I am trying to see what (besides getting me to Heaven) He has planned for us for the rest of the summer.  I have become gun shy about accepting any invitations!  Or planning anything anymore.  I can't see how we will do that all summer! 

We have played many games, watched many movies and read many books.  Already.  The kids seemed to have their summer start sooner than it was supposed to, without all the fun that is to go with it. 

Please let July be a little better!  Otherwise, I am going to join Lucy

Take me away!

Join Kelly for more QT.

7 Quick Takes Friday: Otherwise known as the Push to Blog

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have blogged.  I have so many pictures and events that I need to blog about, especially as the  school year is crawling, um coming to a close. 

7QT:

1. All the children are in the last quarter of school.  Officially.  We are in the final stretch, and will have a Kindergarten (whaaaa?) screening for James in the next week.  The kids are really having a great year, and I am very proud of their grades and hard work. 

2. My Patrick did a project on Saint Faustina and the Divine Mercy.  His teacher told my sister that he was a "genius" when he did his presentation.  This project has launched a beautiful devotion to this prayer and he has eaten up all the books and cd's he can find.  He even discovered an organization that has the mission to spread the message of Divine Mercy and he has made his plans to be part of them someday.  God willing, maybe as a priest.  But wow!  Grace is abounding in my young man.

3. William has just reached his next rank in scouts, officially.  He is now a Wolf scout. 

Next step for him is First Communion on Mother's Day weekend.  We will do it with his cousin, so the family will all be able to do all of it together.  Now, if I could just take care of his gifts to be sure they come in time. 

4. My days are very busy chasing Lucy, who has decided to climb on everything.  All chairs, tables, and couches are fair game.  She climbs and says, "Gee down!"  As she nods her head.  She is also at the take everything out, drop and keep going.  I am exhausted!  She repeats so many words, understands so much, and is just an all around stinker.  So cute.

5. I want to take a moment to draw your attention to my awesome husband in the photo above.  Notice anything?  My man has been dropping some serious weight.  He is doing incredible in his journey charting in over 50 pounds lost!  That scout shirt used to be much tighter.  He has been working out with my same trainer, and loves it.  It originally began with the 21 day fix, and he has just continued with that lifestyle of salads, fruits and veggies.  Lots of them!  (not to mention the money saved from packing his lunch every day)  To see the difference, at least from badge to badge, take a look at Tommy last March.

This is TRX and it is so much harder than it looks!  Look at that pike!  Lucy loves to join us when go, even though I go in the morning and Tommy goes at night, she is so good.  I don't usually let her roam around, but Tommy did and she loved being part of it all!  Um, but she will go back in her johnny jumper when I am at class. 

6. On a more personal note, April has not been an easy month.  Our family (my own, and my siblings) have had our share of some big crosses to handle.  Some health, financial, emotional, and some maybe they haven't even shared.  At Mass today, I felt the Gospel was aimed directly at me, from John 14: 1-6.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled."
"Master.....how can we know the way?"
"I am the way, the truth and the life."
I need to stop worrying.  I have to trust.  Even when I am going through a darker time when I feel alone, or "put upon" by my family, or overwhelmed in worry, I need to remember who is in charge and who has prepared a place for me in Heaven.  God has given me this life, with 5 children.  He will provide and take care of each one.  His Way.  The Way.

7. Last Saturday, I got the decorating bug.  Now, hold your horses, it wasn't a BIG bug, especially because this lady doesn't like bugs of ANY kind, but the big ones, **shudder**.  I decided to do some picture hanging, changing, and going through some boxes in the basement.  You know, boxes that have artwork in them from the last house that just haven't come out since we moved in, oh,  2 1/2 years ago. 

This is a wall sticker that I found at Target, and thought it was about time I put this up SOMEplace where we would have a good reminder.  The kitchen area above the light switch looked like one of the best places, as we are always there.  It's not super eloquent, but it is a great reminder for me each day.  I moved some other items to different walls, and hung a quote that I was SURE was by Saint Francis of Assisi.  Darn it all if I hung it, and my sister said it is NOT one of his.  Bummer though it is, I still like the quote.  "Preach the gospel always, and when necessary use words."  I found an article about this and I wasn't too keen on the writers take on the quote, even though we don't know who said it.  That's another post, not for a "quick take."

Linking up with Kelly for more SQT.

7 Quick Takes: January, February and March

Well hell-O, dear blog readers!  My dear, sweet readers that will be patient with me.  I am so excited to put my fingers to the keyboard tonight and give you a snippet of the happenings here in my world.

1. I'm sure you are all checking in to see the latest Lucy sweetness, and I won't disappoint.  Lucy is still smiling and loving to each person she meets, and has not decided to roll over yet.  She will, however, do crunches. Long, long crunches.  She will lie on the floor while I am exercising and do this.  Almost the whole time.  This is a moment in time, but it is not untrue!

 Five months have flown by, and she is the first baby that is actually in clothes that are near her size.  Little dainty flower we have. 

2. Scouts!  William just received his Tiger badge (one thing I figured out, the boys get the badge after the year is over.  Go figure.  They gotta earn it first).

We also had the Blue and Gold Banquet and I tried my hand at some creative cake decorating.  It was Space themed, and I attempted the moon.  I am not trying to start a business anytime soon. 



 

3. Sensory bins.  I have always wanted to have something like this for the kids to play with, and I threw some things in a bin, and apparently it seems that all the kids enjoy it.  ALL  On the deck, in the house, I love it.  It keeps them so occupied, and the sound of the scooping and digging is so fun.

 

4. Bubble machine.  Best $8 ever spent.  I love bubbles, but I can't ever blow enough to make it fun.  We have been taking care of Tommy's nephew about 2 days a week.  He is about a year and a half, and the cutest little stinker.  James loves having him here and it's so special to get to have this time.

 

5.  Baby's first Ash Wednesday!  Lent has come, and gone, since I am tardy to the party, but we had our Lucy's first ashes, and our first protest of the ashes from James.  I was NOT prepared for the screaming at Mass that we have had with James.  I am grateful that my arms are strong enough to carry the both of them in those moments.





6.

 

I love firsts!  This boy pulled out his own tooth in the morning, as you can see he is all packed and ready to go to school.  He pulled it out all on his own.  The earliest teether in the house, so he is the youngest to start losing his teeth.  Very exciting!  Now, if only the tooth fairy can get on her game to be sure he doesn't lose the tooth fairy excitement.  They were just learning about the tooth fairy at school too.  According to William, she leaves a toy (!!) in place of the tooth.  Nope, sorry.  This fairy doesn't take the teeth and leaves a dollar. These kids are rich, in my opinion. 

 

7.  Snow! Our January, February, AND some of March has had snow.  We had about 13 snow (some not so snowy) days, and thankfully don't need to make up any days for the year. 

 There was one really big snowfall which gave us a 4 day weekend with Daddy, and was so needed!  Sledding, movies, and family time are always nice to have.  The kids all enjoyed hot chocolate after the sledding and shoveling, and I was happy to oblige.  Too cold for Lucy (and me!  Emma wears my boots, and I don't have any pants to go out in either.  Pretty soon she will be taking my coats and gloves.)