Theme Thursday: Statues

                                           

This statue is one of my favorite wedding gifts. She came all the way from Italy via Robert's brother, who was taking a semester in Rome through The University of Dallas. I cherish her not only for her beauty but also because, a young man, in Rome, with little spending money saw this statue and decided to make it our wedding gift. Robert's brother said, when he saw her, he just knew he had to buy her for us. She had quite an adventure as he back packed all over Europe in the fall of 2006 with her.  Then she finally made her way to our home in January 2007. There are no words to express the sentiment I have for her and my BIL's thoughtfulness.  

Now head over to Clan Donaldson to check out MORE beautiful statues, because the Catholic community knows how to appreciate and show our adoration through beautiful works of art. 

Theme Thursday:Askew

      Joining Cari At Clan Donaldson  for this weeks theme. 

You can thank my kind hearted husband who is alway good for a laugh. This is his idea of fun and wit because he knows it drives me all kinds of bat-crap-crazy! When we first married and had to sleep in the same bed. There was a lot to adjust to. Like his snoring..thank you CPAP for taking that obnoxious sound away. Then there is the fact he will get into bed and mess the blankets up. On purpose. Because he know my OCD will kick in... I've become his "lab rat" as he practices, without a license, Psychopathology techniques on me in efforts to cure my psychosis. After 6 1/2 years of marriage. It. Still. Drives. Me. Insane! 

Here's how this plays out. 

I come to bed and straighten the sheet, quilt, and pillows. He comes to bed. Kicks them all around. Pulls my side of the blankets off of me. I get up, readjust all the covers. If he is daring, as in, he believes I may not stuff a soiled diaper in his pillowcase, he will askew the blankets again. I know it's all his obnoxious loving way of being flirtatious. I guess he gets points for knowing when he may get the diaper and not push me too far too often. 

Guess which side of the bed is his?

Now go check out Cari and all the other linkers to see much prettier pictures and probably stories!

                                           

Theme Thursday: Bright

Looking on the Brighter Side!

Joining Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday

Last weekend I had such high expectations that inevitably led to me having to admit defeat and look to the brighter side. It wasn't horrible by any stretch of the imagination; just didn't go how I wanted it to. 

Usually I can come up with a litany of ALL the things I can NOT do...like sleep through the night, do the dishes without Lil'Man clambering onto the dishwasher, or have an exclusive husband/wife date...Or, focusing on all the things I Can do but Really Don't want to; like, laundry, cleaning the house, nursing Sir Chubbily PoopsALot for the hundredth time (it's only at the hundredth that becomes exasperating) instead of focusing on ALL the things I CAN do. Like, be a stay home mom, love and teach my kids, feed my kids, walk and talk at the same time just to list some of the essentials. To say the least, I do a poor job at looking at the brighter side of things sometimes. I'm working on it.  

So, when we had tire issues two days in a row on two different cars, while on our way to do something fun... I almost cried. Okay fine, I shed a tear or two and reminded myself that God would say..."Why not you". But, seriously... two different car-tire issues in two days? Really!

Saturday: Family Fun Day @Grant's Farm
Oh, except we didn't make it there because by the time I got everyone ready and fed and into the SUV, we discovered the flat tire.  Robert fills the slow leaking tire and we drive to Grant's Farm to discover a 1/4 mile of stopped cars just to get into the actual parking lot. Grant's Farm = Foiled
Moving on and adjusting to the new idea of not getting my way.

Looking on the brighter side. We can still do something fun as a family. Just NOT what I wanted. Yes, we made the best of it and hit up this Sugar Shack place for a puppet show and candy then walked to the local Farmer's Market. It was a great time together.  

Sunday: Husband/Wife Winery Date @Our Favorite Winery: Adam Puchta
My parents wanted to take our girls for the afternoon, so Robert and I decided to take the Lil' Man on a scenic dive (1 1/2 hrs away) to our favorite Winery. 
The plan: I got up early and went to mass, Robert was going to 11:30 while I fed the girls lunch and got them down for a short nap before my parents picked them up. Everything was going to plan, until Robert calls me to tell me he needs a new tire. There's a small whole in it. No, it won't retain any air. Oh. And he missed Mass because of it. Tears Shed. Winery date ruined. The whole world is going to end. We both were looking forward to an after/evening of fun together. 

Looking on the brighter side. After some phone calls to my MIL and tire shops, we have a new plan. It's not the plan I wanted but it would work. No, we couldn't check out the other wineries in the area and no, we wouldn't have time for a fancy dinner before Robert needed to be back for a 7:30pm Spanish Mass. But, we could still go to our favorite winery and we found a Sears that carried the tire we needed for Robert's car. We could drop off the car and pick it up later in the evening. 

Getting to the winery. CHECK
Find/replace tire. CHECK
Girls still going to have fun with grandparents. CHECK
Lil'Man going to sleep the whole way to winery. CHECK
Robert can still get to Mass even with the winery trip. CHECK 

See me looking on the brighter side?!

See Sir Chubbily looking of the brighter side at said winery?!  Yippee for all the things I CAN DO! 

Check out how everyone else interpreted todays Bright theme.

Theme Thursday: Rooms

Joining Cari for Some photo fun.
It's been a year since we've move in to this house and I still don't have much decor going on. How long can one use the phrase "We just moved in so..."? I think the first 5 years. Your thoughts?

One day last April (2012), Robert came home to our then, cozy, two bedroom, one bath, old as all get out - still has a coal stack in the cement-block,. damp basement, and said the dreaded "That's it! We're moving. And before the baby comes". Whom we were expecting mid August.
With that, the search was on. We found this house and moved in two weeks before the birth of our son. Goodbye house that made my husband and baby girl sick All. The. Time. Hello, new, beautiful house. So warm and inviting. With room to grow and you don't make anyone sick.

Thanks for a new lease on life. 

Have any decorating ideas. Shoot them my way. 

                                           

 Family room into the kitchen. Before Robert's destruction during dinner. That's when the kitchen reminds me of a scene out of the Sixth Sense, where all the cabinet doors are open in a blink of an eye.

                                           

Kitchen into the family room. During nap time when the living quarters are still intact... until post nap.

                                           

A serene and tranquil space waiting to be occupied by proper entertaining furnishings.

Anne said the house is very warm and maybe some cool tones will help with that. I would like to paint the walls grey, eventually. I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money when the walls were freshly painted before we moved in. Any ideas are more than welcome in the decor arena.

This post was sponsored by Clan Donaldson. 

                                           

Theme Thursday: Black and White

Joining Cari and the gang for this weeks theme: Black and White

Here's how comical my life can be at times. 

Robert: What's this weeks theme Thursday?

Me: Black and White 

R: Why's everything gotta be about color?

M: Because, I ain't Paula Dean. I is what I is.** 

 Ba-dum-TSH! 

Funny? No? Too soon? Oh well. True conversation, thought I would share. 

On the rare occasion that all the kids go to bed in a timely fashion or at least the girls and our son isn't too needy, Robert and I get "alone time". During this cherished time we either watch a show together or do a "spousal project"; either way it usually contains a night cap of the cocktail sort, good conversation, and a chance to reconnect as husband and wife. We are learning that our time can NOT be black or white, all or nothing. There is a lot of grey; give and take, especially with children. So, we try really really hard to make the best of our time. 

Here are some of our projects:

Kids playroom 

I made the shadow boxes, picked out the frames and pictures and Robert did the detail work of hanging them. He insisted on measuring out everything to insure the proper spacing and alignment; whereas I would have winged it. He's a mathematical genius, subtracting and dividing fractions/mixed numbers all in his head, quickly and with precision.

The Singing Butlers

Sweet Shop

Puzzles are a new love for us. The Singing Butlers is my favorite. I just love that print and one day I will have a real one.

Home made pin board

Another weakness of mine is fabric. All the beautiful colors and textures. I wish I could sew but we might end up broke. This was a great project because I got to shop for fabric, and Robert used his mathematical skills to space the ribbon and affixed it with the upholstery pins. We work together with the exception of in the kitchen. 

I grew up knowing who this guy is. My dad was once a photographer in the making before he turned his attention to computer science. But the love for black and white photography lived within him and I think that is were my passion came from.

The great Ansel Adams

Now I'll leave you with the** King of Pop... who coincidentally passed away 4 years ago this week. 

MJ's Black or White

Go check out some real Black and White photography over at Clan Donaldson. 

** I am indifferent to Paula Dean and I only like some of MJ's songs... gasp! I know. 

Theme Thursday: Water

Joining the FUN with Cari and the gang for another round of themes.

"Water.,Water, Everywhere. Water near and far. Let's use our hands and feet to count how many kinds there are." 

Part of a this book. It's one of our favorites. Yes, I have no shame; this book is memorized. 

Seriously, Water is the most amazing chemical compound ever. Am I the only one to marvel over water and how it's necessary to our existence and how many functions it has? From the percentage of water to land on Earth, to the droplets of water running off ones head at baptism, to the soaked swimsuits after a day of play, it knows no bound. It's key and sometimes a catastrophic mess. Like when your 10 month old thinks the running bath water is for him and he stands on tip toes to reach the said running water and drenches himself in the process. Or, when the toddler of the house is learning how the toilet works and said toddler over flows the toilet so water dains to unwanted areas. (Or, this one time at band camp...just kidding) I know we all have those kinds of stories, so let's revel in the finer joys of water. 

I had the great pleasure of witnessing my BFF (since middle school) daughters' Baptism on Sunday. 

My BFF and her baby girl. I love the droplets of baptismal water!

Sin is washed away and the pathway to other sacraments are laid. It's a beautiful moment. 

Later in the day, my lazy self pulled out the sprinkler, instead of the ultra cool pool that needed to be re-blown up and filled with water so the girls could play. AND, play they did.

Marie and Elise 

I know it's beach toys and we don't have a beach, but they are okay with that. All purposes intended, they had a good time. 

I slacked this week, I know. My plan was to do this really stellar parallelism about water and baptism and life but life happened and my writing is VERY limited. We have one computer in the house, which is in the living room and anytime I use it, the kids take the opportunity to invade the small territory known as MY LAP. Since I'm a lover not a fighter...I don't bother leading them into the temptation.

Go, Go, GO! Check out Clan Donaldson  and see what Cari and the others did for this weeks round of Themes. Dying to know what next month will bring. 

  

Theme Thursday Dad

Joining Cari for this weeks Theme Thursday: Dad

My DAD:

Me and my dad 

He is a hard working man with integrity and honor. A father to three of the loveliest girls a man could ever have the pleasure of not paying a dowry for in order to gain three equally awesome son-in-laws. Let me not forget my poor brother, who had three sisters to deal with. Yes, it was my father and brother and all that estrogen. 

My dad and Papa Smurf 1983

Even now, my dad is the "Papa" to 6 grandchildren and wouldn't you know it. Only one of them is a boy and he's mine, unless my older sister breaks my monopoly when she has her babe in December???

At least all the estrogen isn't in his house 24/7...

All the grandkids are smitten with their Papa and who couldn't blame them with his charm and belly laugh that rivals Good Ole Saint Nick? His jolly man is a wonderful father and grandfather who has learned the virtue of patience and still has a full head of dark hair! I don't know how he did it, but I'm so glad he did. 

Now for a few adoring snap shots of my dad and my kids...You can see the love he has.

Robert IV

 Chasing Helping Elise find eggs

Teaching Marie how to navigate the pumpkin patch

Go link up with Cari and friends or at least go check out some amazing dads!!

Theme Thursday: Girls-Roll'n in the deep (thoughts)

Linking up with Cari at Clan Donaldson for this weeks Theme Thursday:
Girls! I.Love.My.Girls!

They are high octane from the moment their beautiful eyes open in the morning until they close for the night. They love passionately and do their best to test their boundaries. They play tea party while slaying the bad guys with their bow and arrows. They talk incessantly, screech the loudest, and want more than anything to grow up to be my mini-me's.    

Here's a true story for ya:

Tuesday I had one of those self depricating afternoons were I felt like a failure of a mother and disciplinarian. After the second time Marie stormed into my bedroom while nursing the babe (who was up every 15 min the night before and had not napped yet, due to equal parts Wicked-Loud sisters and teething) I almost lost it. 

Marie's first gust of wind into my Oasis was to inform me she placed her arrow on Elise's head, on purpose. (Bow and arrows, confiscated)
Her second gust tore through my door with such violence I thought the whole frame was going to unhinge from the walls. What was that urgent? She proceeded to tell me how she poked Elise in the forehead with the tip of a colored pencil. 

Really? REALLY?
"Go to your room" I boomed! 

As I slowly gave up on the fact the babe was not going to drift off to Never Land, I pondered what could be going on with her. Why was she suddenly a glutton for punishment? Why is she being so mean to her sister, teasing her and blatantly disobeying; then telling me her offense. Does she want to be punished? Does she need more attention? Am I being rude and snide to her? All these thoughts and more raced through my head. There has to be a root cause. I know she's only 4 1/2 but she is so much more mature than that. It's hard to think she doesn't really have a grasp of her actions.
Where am I failing her. She doesn't have too many outside influences (and those she does have are amazing) so, this has to be here, in the home.
The train of thought began to unfold to something bigger. WE, as women (generalizing) can be so nurturing and loving but have so much snark and attitude! It's like an innate ability. Born with it. Done. Learn to live with it. Or, overcome it.
While I wondered in great anger what to say that would help her realize her ruthlessness and flippant attitude was not acceptable, I became aware of the security she felt to be able to confide in me even though she knew she did something wrong. This trust I knew needed to be fostered; my over-reaction could weaken that bond of trust I worked from birth to form with her. I want to keep it intact for when she ventures out into the world beyond our front door. Mentally: "What do I say? Keep it simple and state the truth."
I calmly went to her room where she sat on her bed playing. I sat down next to her and with all the love and conviction I could manage in my voice, I tried my best to convey how proud I was she came to me when she did something wrong but her behavior was unacceptable. I expressed, as I always have, SHE is NOT bad, her actions and decisions are bad.

Later that evening, Robert and I had a chance to discuss the overly dramatic text he received that read a little something like "I wouldn't come home if I were you", sent during that time of chaos (the crying babe and screaming toddlers and sleep deprived wife). He reminded me that our girls aspire to be like me; Marie always says how she wants to grow up, go to school, get married, and become a mom.
Still feeling like a failure, I asked Robert if I am someone to be proud of? Am I selling my self short because I don't have a ton of accomplishments on my resume? Am I serving others in my vocation as I have been called to? I know it sounds self indulgent but when you are entrusted to raise the children The Lord has blessed you with to be His loving handmaidens; you wonder at times if you're good enough. 

His response was money baby! They are words he has spoken in the past, but like a good homily, you thirst to be reminded.

Summary:
"You will be remembered in 100 years. Not because you have a list of self-fulfilling accomplishments that are probably just a disguise for a lack of purpose and happiness in your life but because there is NOTHING more difficult, more rewarding, and more accomplishing than raising our children. It will be YOU our great-grandchildren will talk about while making Margaret's Rolls.
You have goals; To get to heaven. Help those around you get to heaven. Raise our children to be the next generation of loving, inspirational, hard working, self confident, God loving adults. You're doing a great job. Every time they show compassion, every time they genuflect, every time they make the sign of the cross, they pray, they sing and dance with joy, they learn something new...All those times are because of you. They want to be a mom because of your example"!

He's right. Mothers' (generalizing again) give selflessly to their family. And it is so important to impress upon our younglings the joys and humility that comes with our vocation. Our every action and word is hung out there in all its vulnerability and glory for them to see. The good examples we set for them will nurture their growth into confident women, ones we will be proud of. So, I will continue to torment myself with their every action and pray I do the right thing. I'll read books to help me navigate these unchartered territories, I'll listen intently to others experiences and advice. I'll rely heavily on God's graces to help me form His children into exemplary women who will know their roles and vocation  will be every bit as rewarding, satisfying, and glorious as mine.
I am enough! You are enough! And.They.Are.So.Worth.It!

I keep thinking of the lyrics to John Mayers' Daughters:
"...Girls become lovers, who turn into Mothers, so Mothers be good to your daughters too"

Mother's in the making

Marie holding Robert IV

Elise holding Robert IV

There is nothing like witnessing your daughters love! 

Theme Thursday: Self Portrait

Another week gone by and another Theme Thursday arrives. Joining Cari at Clan Donaldson for some fun, you should too.

Back in December I got braces. Yes for the first time, and Yes they were sooo uncomfortable! I was promised they would be worth it in the end. So far, so good. I have seen such a drastic change in my bite already.

My hang ups:
1. I feel like a prepubescent teen!
2. I have build ups on my bottom molars so it is very difficult to eat!
3. Food, Ugh, Love Food! Not so much when it's stuck-in-my-teeth-GROSS!
Floss, brush, rinse, repeat and repeat and repeat. Still...feel...gross.
4. P-A-I-N...Oh, bring out the bottle of Whine... The-P-A-I-N
5. Limited on what I can eat. I love food and not being able to eat what I want when I want really stinks. I would like to say I have been and exemplary model in temprense. But I won't. Because I haven't. I've just changed up my eating habits (I tell my self it's out of necessity) to all things soft and bad for you... which is really an oxymoron, in my opinion. Soft things like, brownies, danishes, pancakes, milkshake (I know liquid, but still soft) banana bread, and Monti Christo sandwiches. Oh, the good stuff that is so bad for ones body, especially for ones eyes. My poor eyes... they have to cast themselves upon the scale number hovering over the same number for the last few months. No improvement on loosing any more of that baby weight since the braces have been added. UGH...Exasperated sigh of discontentment and total unfairness!

On the plus side:
My husband loves them. Truly. He says he enjoys how the edges of my mouth are always turned upward, so it looks like I have a constant smile.

I sorta envision a less creepy version on the Cheshire Cat.

What do you think?

My selfie??

Taken with the IPhone (again) because I could turn the camera around to see what I was doing.Which was a necessity to the success of NOT dropping the baby I was holding. Sneaky sneaky... I had to crop his cuteness out of the picture. Honestly... I can't go to the bathroom alone, let a lone take a picture of myself sans babies.


Anyway. Enjoy this number for 2005ish! Smile Like You Mean It... Robert used to serenade me with these lyrics.

Theme Thursday: Bodies

Joining the gracious host Cari, again for this weeks Theme Thursday: BODIES!
(On a side note, thank you kind readers for last weeks boost in confidence.)

There are so many bodies to choose from and I know that sounds creepy, but It's true. In lieu of the theme as bodies, plural, and not body, singular, I choose the cohesiveness of this trio.

The Trio

Baptism of The Fourth

My Father-in-law (Jr.), My husband (The Third) and My son (The fourth, or as my FIL likes to call him, Quattro).  I tried to convince them it should be A Ceathair (ah cah-hir) which is Irish for the number four, but was shut down. Probably for the reason you already thought...What's that word and what does it mean? 

My FIL

FIL with The Fourth

One of the most generous and honorable men I know. 

We look to him as the patriarch of the family, though he would humbly claim it is his father-in-law 

Moving on to The Third 

The Fourths Birth: Robert III, holding, Marie. Elise. and Robert IV

The leading man in my life who shares All the adventures with me. My Prince Charming/Court Jester. Without him I would always be Chicken Little yelling "the sky is falling the sky is falling!" Instead, it's just half the week. It also happens to be his birthday today. Happy Birthday Robert The Third!

 And then there's this guy, Robert The Fourth 

Apple of my eye, makes me smile when I don't want to, and melts my heart because he already pulls out ALL the stops... Like father, like son!  

Do you all remember the popular County Music song by Travis Trait (90's) 

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

It went a little something like this:

"...hey good L-double O-K-I-N-G...

Yeah I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E...!"

 No, you don't? Need a newer reference? 

Okay How about Taylor Swift's

Trouble

I like these lines:

"I knew you were trouble when you walked in"

"Oh, trouble, trouble, trouble"

Yea, Pretty much sums him up. SO. MUCH. T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Here's what I mean.

Revving up

Ready

Set

Go

And he's off to the races...He's just not old enough to bet and I'm not ye gamblin' kind! 

At eight months old, I repeat at eight months old, my little lad WAS crawling. I say "WAS" because now he is nine months old and thinks he can walk and climb stairs. WHO the heck is coming over to my house and teaching the one child I most certainly DID NOT want moving around yet to do such milestones!?!?! I thank you, NOT!

         Robert The Fourth; you think you are all kinds of CUTENESS; and well in all honesty. YOU ARE. BUT, now you can follow me around and squawk your unwavering affections (i.e. I Love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. Translation- NURSE ME WOMAN!) instead of doing so from the confines of the living room floor where it's safe. And and not as loud. 

Seriously, I love you, Nurse me!

You have taken to pulling yourself up to a standing position only to try to walk...and fall...(And, let's play the broken record technique on that one) so far on your behind, but I know the face plant into something horrible with a trip to the ER is coming. 

T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!

Oh,Trouble, Trouble, Trouble

             Oh, yes. the shenanigans are never far, you mosey on up the stairs, every chance you get. The obstacle course of chairs slows you; but you are your fathers' son AND your fathers', fathers' grandson...persistent. A good trait to have on your side later in life, but right now, it finds you frustrated.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

I pulled him to safety and his thoughts on that were...

"How dare you ruin my life and eat all my steak". To that, my reply "I'm your mom it's my job to ruin your life (protect you) and you won't even eat the steak. 

Seriously, The Trio is too cute. I HEART them!

A note to The Fourth,
On this day of celebration and honoring of your father. Those roman numerals behind your name are placed with integrity and honor. A legacy is unfolding, the stairway to heaven have already been built and sainthood is achievable, just follow in the foot steps of your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and you'll be one fine man and wealthy beyond your dreams! 

Theme Thursday:Animals

Joining Cari and the rest of the Theme Thursday crew for this weeks, Animal addition of all things photo related. 

A few month back we ventured out to our Parishs' Fall Festival. The girls had a great time in the bounce house and at the kids petting zoo; where I took this photo...

Yes, this is a donkey. A.K.A. Jack @ss

Followed by a prompt text to Robert informing him this image will now pop up on my iPhone every time he calls. Bahahaha! Right! I was totally joking...or was I?

I also took this one of Marie following the huge tortoise around trying to "pet" it.  She didn't quite get the concept, she IS bigger and faster, but I promise, this girl followed that tortoise around the perimeter about 7 (hundred) times before she finally decided to reach down and "just do it".

(Is it okay even though it's a reptile) 

On to these turkeys


Three in all and they almost had the misfortune of ending up in my Christmas pot pie! They scared me half to death one day. (I must have scared them too because after they left I found their "droppings" on my porch). On this particular day, Marie and I were in the family room enjoying some alone time; when all the sudden. (BAM!) pause (BAM!)wait-for-it(BAM!) I thought someone fired a shot gun. Stupid is as a stupid does and I look out the window to see where the shots are coming from. (Now we live in a suburb of STL. Major roads all around and an ever sooooo small wooded area behind our house.) BAM!! again, and again, and well you get the drill. So, I grab my chefs knife, because that's what was easily accessible (plus I needed to level up in hand to hand combat skills) and head to the basement... Aaaalone...to confront whatever appears to be breaking into my house. Much to my surprise, I find these BIG (not little) turkeys...pecking at their reflection in my basement glass door. (Now, whose stupid? The birds). Well, long story short...many calls to my husband as to what to do, a picture taken to allow him to know I MOST CERTAINLY WAS NOT OVER EXAGGERATING THIER SIZE (they could have eat'n me), a few "run around" phone calls to wild life centers, and one big bad brother in law who came over with his paint ball gun, so I could shoot them and NOT go to jail, or pay a huge fine of $50/pound of dead turkey. In the end they left and were not seen again until Easter night. Seriously.

However, we now have 4 (2 point, as of right now) buck in our back yard. We saw them on Mother's Day, but my photos turned out like this. 

Not so good photos.

Also, living at our,WILD, end of the cul-de-sac... coyote, black snakes,birds(under our deck are two nests)... If any of you have ideas of how to keep the black snakes out of my yard...I'm all ears! Has to be a kid friendly remedy though.