Last Day(s) of School

I like to see the changes in these kids.  Here is the first day of school pictures.  They have all grown up so much!

 

 William's last full day was 2 days before the big kids.

 Here comes Patrick to middle school!

 Emma is going to 4th grade!  Straight A student, "easy year" and a weed that just keeps growing. 

 I told Patrick he needed to stand up a little more. 

 I can't wait for James to ask me if the "kids at school?" and I get to answer him "No!  They are here with you!"

We are so ready for summer!

Last Days of Kindergarten

 Kindergarten Luau in the VERY hot sun.  Mommy came in time for the picnic outside.

 Assistant Mrs. DiRenzo

 Teacher Mrs. Izquierdo

 

 Graduation Day!

 

 

 

 



 

 Father Bob has been at All Saints for 14 years, and has been there for a lot of things for our family.  He is leaving us at the end of this month, and I was quite emotional when he spoke to the kids.

 Principal!

 William said, "Father Bob, you're my favorite priest."  So sweet!

I had to include a picture of his favorite friend. 

Look out, First Grade!  Here comes William!

Answer Me This: Maybe I do, and I didn't.

Joining up at Catholic All Year

1. What’s something you intended to do today, but didn't?

Do I only get to choose one thing?  Every.single.day I don't do everything that I mean to do.  To just pick one......now that would be difficult.  I needed to shop for end of the year gifts for the class I am room liaison.  Figuring out how to divide and spend the money among the kids....oh man.  Overwhelming.

Laundry, clean, dishes, and make my husband happy by joining him in some scouting events to name a few others.  I can't stay on this question too long or I may get depressed.  Move along, nothing to see here....

 2. What's your favorite grilling recipe?

Um, the ones my husband makes?  LOL  I don't grill, EVER, on the outside grill.  Inside, yes.  I have a grill pan that is great when you have a small fire or something in the grill outside and you have to finish the meal inside.  My favorite recipe for Tommy that I "grill" for him is Blackened Fish Tacos.  Delicious.

 3. What movie did you see most recently?

Emma and I watched a Hitchcock's Rebecca together.  I loved that book, and anything Hitchcock is so worth watching.  Even though it is in *gasp* black and white, my Emma sat through the whole thing.

4. Would you say your tendency is to over or under react to medical situations?

My initial thought when I read this question was "oh yes, I TOTALLY overreact to medical situations.  I overreact to EVERYTHING!"  And then, I did some more thinking.  I sometimes prefer NOT to know all the details.  LOL  Well, as with most things, I am a bit indecisive.  I think I sometimes do better NOT knowing all the details, because then I freak out, but it is important to have all the details so I can know how to treat the problem and make it better. 

5. Do you squeeze the toothpaste tube or roll it?

Squeeze.  Rolling is just weird.


6. What are you doing for Father's Day?

Not too much.  We will be celebrating a little with my Dad, and hopefully relaxing a bit with my Tommy.  He is the most amazing Daddy and husband.  He works so hard for all of us, and keeps me sane and feeling loved.  He is always so happy and ready with a joke to lighten the mood, or to make things better.  We love you, Daddy, and are so grateful to have you! 

James is 3!

 3 years ago, James decided to make an entrance 2 days before he was scheduled.  We have had so much joy in our family with this little boy!

 He loves his siblings so much, and misses them every day when they are gone.  He is so happy to see everyone, any time.  He is so generous with his hugs!

 His love of superheroes is like none of my other kids, and it's adorable to see him in his shirts with the capes all the time.

 I can't believe you are 3 today, and going to be a big brother!  This baby is so loved by you already, and you will be an amazing role model for this new baby.

 There is nothing sweeter than hearing you say, each time you see a cross or crucifix, "Jesus died on the cross."  You are the first to volunteer when to lead a mystery when we say the rosary.

We are so blessed to have you in our family!  You are such a joy, and I am excited to see what the next years with bring!  We love you lots and lots!



{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} Family Fun Edition

 

 {Pretty}

Oh bubbles!  They are so pretty!  They make me so happy!  How can you ever feel sad when you see them?  I am glad he can blow bubble without me, as I get winded with this big belly.   

 

 

{Happy}

So much love!  Just a quick moment with these three, but it is a joy-filled family.  Of course, shortly afterward, we had some wrestling and crying in the room.

 

{Funny}

Oh yes.  The awkward pictures, the cousin "love" and the mouth open phase with every photo.  These boys are so funny. 

 

{Real}

Oh this face.  If looks could kill.  He wasn't feeling well, and not even a swing could make him happy.  But, he has a birthday this weekend, and we have already begun celebrating!!

Jesus Loves the Little Children

And their prayers!  This little boy is not even 3, and his little prayers are so sweet!  I love listening to him when he prays with us.  He led 2 mysteries of the rosary last night, per his own request!  My heart just melts!

Jump-a-Long!

My sister shared this kid size trampoline with my James, and I just think there is nothing cuter than watching him jump.  He just loves it!  The joy is contagious, and I love that he can get some of his "bounces" out when it's raining or we aren't able to get out.

 

We try to keep just the little guys on this, and it's so funny to hear James, "Emma, get off the trampoline!  You're too big to jump!"  He is a good little one about rules. 

Answer Me This: I will!

I am trying something new this weekend!  I loved this idea of someone else giving me a topic (or two) to write about.  Nothing earth-shattering, but fun!

 

1. Do you have a land line?

Though I have an IPhone, almost every other person I know has a cell phone, and most of the time those people call my cell phone, I still prefer the land line.  It comes with our Verizon "triple play" and would cost us more money to NOT have it, but I am always grateful when we do.  I prefer the doctor's offices (and yes, there are many.  Not nearly as many as last pregnancy, but with pediatricians, endocrinologist, ob/gyn, family physician, dentist, orthodontist.....) to call the house and leave a message on our answering machine.  The kids are constantly recording a new greeting, and since I have a high voice (I can imitate Snow White quite easily) and would rather NOT hear myself, it's not so bad.  And to be truthful, I am happier to talk on the phone that way.  Maybe it's the shape, the sounds...maybe it's comforting.  I don't know.  I am not sure how long we will have it, but I do prefer it.

So, yes.  We do.

2. What is your least favorite food?

 

Oh, food.  My nemesis right now.  I wish I could say, as a pregnant lady that I am able to enjoy lots of different foods, but with gestational diabetes, my cravings are real, but not always satisfied in the way I would like.  In the least favorite food category, it is a very tough choice.  The first thing that comes to mind is brussel sprouts, but I can only say that I have had them once.  LOL  The foods I hate right now are the ones which send my sugar numbers sky high.  But, unfortunately, those are the ones I crave the most.  

 

But, now that I think about it, I can pintpoint some food that I am adverse to: Indian, curry, sage (YECH!), peaches, key lime, and any fruit-y dessert that doesn't include chocolate.  (That last one especially applies to my husband, who thinks a key lime pie is enough to have when it comes to dessert.  Um, what?  No chocolate?!?)

3. What's on your summer reading list?

 

Probably something involving babies.  (ya think?)  I recently LOVED Jen's "Something Other Than God" - I bawled, laughed, and just plain couldn't put it down.  It was amazing, and I already have at least 3 people in mind that would really enjoy it. 

 

I have to admit that I am not the best about spiritual reading, and many times I go toward the books that are easy read (um, Twilight, Hunger Games, Narnia, or any of the books I have already read).  I would love some more like Scott Hahn's "Rome Sweet Home," or something not as intimidating as Pope Benedict's writings. 

4. Is there something that people consistently ask for your advice on? What is it?

Well, this one was a hard one.  As the #6 child of a family, I wasn't often asked advice.  I don't get "asked" advice, per se, but I do give advice.  (insert blushed face here)  It may not be solicited, but, I'm sure I share advice on a daily basis.  It's usually accompanied by a disclaimer that I am not an expert.  LOL  I was an orthodontic assistant for so many years and I do often get questions about that, and I am happy to use my knowledge, since I am not working right now. 

To be honest, I like the questions about my faith more than anything.  I am NOT a debate-r, but I love when I get questions about my faith.  It gets me excited, and helps me to learn more about my faith and how much I LOVE being Catholic!  It all makes so much sense and God is just so good!

5. What's the most physically demanding thing you've ever done?

When I think of physically demanding, the first thing that comes to mind is hiking which makes me just cringe.  I have never been the physical kind of gal.  I am the first one to say "no thank you!" to a walk, or a hike or  anything too physical.  Wasn't much for exercising, and never thought I would be.  I have not backpacked across the European countryside, or stayed in hostels or even gone across the United States.  My dear husband knew when he dated me that I was in indoor kind of girl.

Until last year.  To make a commitment to exercise twice a week, using muscles I have never used before.  Some days, it took a lot of energy to even get out the door but I had a workout buddy that kept me going.  To continue that while pregnant has been a real challenge, mentally and physically.  When we went to Disneyworld last year, I was excited that did not get tired as quickly as I used to. 

This sounds really lame.  I wish I had some fancy answer, but nope.  I am not daring enough.   

6. How do you feel about massages?

Like a boneless chicken.  Oh my, they are lovely.  I haven't had one in years, but I usually enjoy them.  Once I get over the fact that someone else has their hands on me it's usually not bad.  I was told during my last pregnancy that a certain kind of massage is good for reducing the swelling, but I never got around to it.  I usually chicken out when it comes to spending money on things like that.  I do have some gift cards for a massage, and I should use them soon!

Visit Catholic All Year for more "Answer Me This."
 

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

I know that gospel passage very well, as do many other Catholics.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard it throughout my life as a cradle Catholic.  I don't know if you are like me, but this phrase often puts images in my head.  Maybe it has to do with reading road signs while I was young: Wrong Way, One Way, etc. but I always pictured a road, like a highway.

That's how we get to Heaven, by following Jesus on the road that he made for us, with the 10 Commandments and sacraments.  It always made sense to me, and I was okay with that image.

Until Friday.  The kids had a school Mass with Fr. Juan, who always hits the nail on the head.  We heard this passage in the Gospel and he told the kids this:
"When you feel sad, or depressed, or don't want to go to school, or are crying (like that baby in the back) or having trouble with something, Jesus is the Way.  He is the one who gives you the Way to get through it."

It was like I had been hit over the head.  Whoa.  Jesus doesn't just show us the way.  He IS the way: the HOW, the WHO and the WHAT.  He IS the way.  Not He will just SHOW us the way.  I don't know if this is coming across with as much sense as it made to me, and maybe it was just my "a-ha!" moment with my Lord, but I felt that I wanted to share it.  (and yes, it did make me cry)