tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60595416098313691502024-03-13T04:03:49.661-07:00Casa de RossiniUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-10328971350074074062011-02-04T20:15:00.000-08:002011-02-04T20:15:58.878-08:00Friday, February 4, 2011I will do my seven quick takes again, because that helps me think a little better.<br />
1. Gino is currently at the hospital, he will spend the night. I have not been feeling well. It's my lungs. I have a deep cough that is hard to get anything up and if my throat gets dry or I try to take a super deep breath...well, I go into a kind of spastic cough. Not good. I tried calling several doctors today but because we have had snow and ice for the last few days, no one was there. <br />
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2. Snow days. Ay-carumba!! Trying to pull out all the Mommy tricks. We baked, we puzzled, we colored, we played with homemade blue goo, we watched tv, we played in the snow, we built a fort... I'm exhausted!!!! Luckily, they are too...and each one of the children are fast asleep.<br />
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3. House hunting. Well, our first home that we wanted did not accept our offer. The second home that we wanted, we were turned down because the sale was based on our home being sold...it was a bid war and we came in at the same dollar amount, so the seller was able to get picky. The third house... it is big... it has everything we need except a small backyard that is nothing but a square of grass behind the house. It needs a lot of tlc. So big. I feel like the children's rooms would be sooo far away. I don't know... anyhow, that is not a done deal, we have been negotiating with the seller on price still. We only just today got the disclosure. Tomorrow we are actually going to look at three more homes. I'm excited about one of them because it is just 3 or 4 doors down from the elementary school. It is smaller, does not have a study- but a large Master with a bit of a sitting area that could be made into a work area. It has a pool in the back, but it also has enough space around it plus grass and the driveway is fenced in. So...we'll see... it is nerve-wrecking house hunting. Did we do the right thing??? We sold for so much less. I love this ol' house. Hardwood floors, close to downtown... community... is this really the time to be trying to build community again??!! <br />
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4. Marianne. Her gavage was put back in. She was just not meeting her minimums. So, back went the tube. When they first did this I was physically ill over the whole thing. Everything. Marianne, house, lack of sleep... ugh. I litterally vomitted and had to leave the hospital. It was icy outside and was one of the worst drives of my life. Dry-heaving and driving on ice...lovely, plus exhaustion. <br />
So- anyhow, Marianne is consistantly inconsistant. She will finish several bottles in a day and than she will only take half other times. She does not like the early morning bottle. She does not like her vitamins. It takes heroic efforts to get her to finish a bottle... sometimes up to 45 minutes or an hour. The doctor will probably talk to us about a g-tube. This is a tube that is surgically put directly into her belly. She will still be offerred the bottle, but at night, we can give her the rest of whatever she did not take. Now do you see why I was physically ill? I'm so afraid that this is a slippery slope and that Marianne will not get this figured out if we give her a way out. However, the baby has to eat and grow, right?? UGh. And we want her home...we want her home so badly. It is time for her to socialize with her family...not the nurses. I worry about bonding with the baby...Gino is up there now, and I'm okay with that. Is that weird? Breastfeeding has gone out the window. This is why it is just time. We are loosing time and so it is just time to move on with it and get her home so that we can begin to be a family under one roof. (not sure which roof yet, but that is okay!)<br />
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The abbreviated version of our snowed-in-looking-for-a-home-eat-baby-eat-week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-24644239244733830632011-01-29T10:17:00.000-08:002011-01-29T10:18:39.634-08:00A Late Take for Quick Takes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">http://www.conversiondiary.com/</a><img border="0" s5="true" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I'm going to try this method...even though it is Saturday. :) Might help me get some random thoughts out there...<br />
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1. I might have strep. Not officially...but all the signs are there...coughing, low grade fever, no appetite, sore throat. Caroline most likely does too. She was home from school all week with a low grade fever and coughing. I should have taken her into the doctor. But it just did not seem urgent enough to get it checked out. And wouldn't you know, I look up from my fog of visits to the Special Care Nursery, homes for sale, bills to go through, and all of our kiddos have these symptoms. HELLO?? Did I mention I have been a single mom for the past 8? 9? days/??? Gino has been working awful hours. So... here I am, in bed, and Gino has the pleasure of taking four sickies to the doctor this morning. By the way, (this is for Mom...) I DID call my doctor and I am on antibiotics now and I really am in bed right now...drinking plenty of fluids. (Muuuwa! -that's a kissy sound, Mom)<br />
UPDATE: IT'S THE FLU... Caroline tested positive- she's on day 7, we all received a prescription for Tamiflu.<br />
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2. Marianne is doing really well!! She weighs 8 pounds, 3.8 ounces... the nurse said she lost 24 grams... (really? chalk that up to a bm??). She has to have a total volume of a minimum 400 mls every 24 hours. She has kept to her minimum taking in between 420-480 mls since Monday. The nurses are starting to talk about "when she goes home"... one even said to me on Thursday, I hope you are gone by the time I get back on Tuesday!!" (this sounds ugly, but it is a GOOD thing around the Nursery!!) I told her that I did not think I could hope for that right now and she nodded, very understanding and said, "that's okay, I will hope FOR you". I LOVE the nurses up there (most of them) and am so grateful for their care for our baby. Her doctor and I spoke yesterday, she knows that I am sick and she said, "you better get lots of rest this weekend because you are going to need it for when the baby comes home!" This is hospital speak: no exact day (they don't want you to get disappointed), but just laying down little hints of what's next.<br />
Her total volume for today looks real low, so we'll see what the weekend doc does. I spoke with her nurse, she knows we are all staying away right now, and she said she was trying very hard to get her to take all her feedings, but the baby has been sleepy. She'll get there. Time and patience.<br />
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3. OUR HOME... well, we are officially under contract!!! I could never imagine what this side of "selling your home" would look like and it is very peaceful...no more calls from CSS (Central Showing Service) to make appointments, no more cleaning it "show ready" before we left, or at the end of the day so we could get out of here earlier, no more figuring out what to do with the children and myself while a showing is going on. No pumping in the car because I didn't have time! No anxious feeling when the phone rings. Just back to living in our home. <br />
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4. AN OFFER... we put down an offer on one home. It is a much lower offer than what they are asking and they have only been on for a week...so, kind of a longshot. It has four bedrooms and a study, a playroom and a big backyard. The backyard backs up to a field and a creek. It is in a cul-de-sac. Has a really great space over the garage that could be finished out for an additional playroom or better yet...girls dormitory!! Really a great layout and fit for our family. We haven't heard back.<br />
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5. BUDGET... tight. really tight. Any tips? We (the me of we) are thinking of canceling our cable and just using netflix. Do you do this? Any other ideas to slash some things from our budget? Moving to Coppell means no more school uniforms. I am really not jazzed about that. Clothes and school just bring back bad memories for me. <br />
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</div>6. A picture....<br />
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7. Can I just say that it REALLY ANNOYS me when people act like it is the most pitiful thing in the world that Tommy is the only brother amoung ALL THOSE GIRLS. I mean, how sad is that? Poor thing must get so tired of those sisters. This is most effective when said in front of Tommy and his sisters. UGH. Judging by the above picture alone...I don't think he minds after all, until someone reminds him again of how AWFUL that must be for poor Tommy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-65629087751107047872011-01-08T18:43:00.000-08:002011-01-08T18:43:27.361-08:00SaturdayToday I have spent the day in the Special Care Nursery with Marianne. It has been nice to watch her, hold her and talk to her. We have worked on feeding together and that is not going well. It has been really good to see how much the nurses here seem to love my Marianne. Thursday night, we had called to check on her and learned that the nurse had given Marianne her first tub bath. Marianne LOVED it. I was so upset. Another milestone reached, but not with me and not at home. It would be very very easy for me to curl up in this yucky blanket of self-pity. Instead, Gino and I made arrangements for me to be here for the day, and to give Marianne her first tub bath from her Mama. No one else can do that. :) The nurse, Olivia, was awesome showing me some great new tricks on how to keep the baby comfortable and warm throughout. And Marianne's primary nurse, Jamie, from NICU was visiting us at the time, so she was our photographer. It was perfect. And Marianne LOVED it... she really did! I've never seen a baby sleep through a bath!!! But I have pictures to prove it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TSkf_gnhxBI/AAAAAAAAAQs/ZHqZipl8T0g/s1600/img_1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TSkf_gnhxBI/AAAAAAAAAQs/ZHqZipl8T0g/s320/img_1050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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So about Marianne's feeding... well, we just don't know what is going on. She doesn't seem to be able to take more than 25 ml. She is supposed to take 60 ml. She just does not like to swallow. She gets tired so quickly, she won't actively engage in her feeding. Reflux? Asphixiation with swallowing? Immaturity? We don't know. I am hoping and praying that we will have more anwers on Monday. Dr. King has given orders to have a swallow test Monday morning. She'll swallow something while being x-rayed so that they can actually SEE what is going on in her throat. It is a little invasive, but it is time for some answers so that we can better meet her needs. She is healthy in EVERY other way. We just need to figure out how to get her to take a bottle.<br />
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Marianne's due date came and went and we still do not have a come home date. I'm hoping in about 2 weeks....but I've been saying that for about a week now. <br />
TRUST.<br />
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Gino and I had the house clean for several showings that were going on today. We were out of the house by 11 a.m. He took all the kiddos to eat, and than to visit his parents. They always enjoy that. Nonna and Paw Paw keep a freezer stocked with lots of icecream bars. Paw Paw has coloring pictures printed from online curtailed to each child's interests... airplanes, dolphins, fairies, flowers... very sweet.<br />
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So this house does not seem to want to let go of us! We are having many showings, but so far, no offers. Maybe we are meant to stay? Oh, but it is so small!!!! <br />
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TRUST.<br />
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In the back of my head, I keep thinking that there are such bigger issues out there, and a small house is no big gig. And keeping the house on the market is as big a deal as we make it. This is not life threatening, just inconvenient. I can't wait for the day to come when I can sit, nurse my baby- or bottle feed her- and watch the children playing with a mess of toys... and not worrying about a call to show the house. I think this day will come very soon. Maybe in about 2 weeks.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TSkgEg77XJI/AAAAAAAAAQw/2RV2hAMrcIA/s1600/img_1067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TSkgEg77XJI/AAAAAAAAAQw/2RV2hAMrcIA/s320/img_1067.jpg" width="320" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-80606342026532261242010-12-30T09:24:00.000-08:002010-12-30T09:24:06.937-08:00from Caring Bridge...Well we are moving out of the NICU!!!!!<br />
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Marianne has overcome the hurdle of her two month shots and her a's and b's have subsided. She is now BACK in the Special Care Nursery, (a transitional nursery for the "feeders" and "growers")<br />
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Her weight is right at 6.5 lbs. She is plumping up!! Her thighs have a little roll in them. I was marveling at her amazing and miraculous growth. Her legs used to be no thicker than my finger. God is so good!! What a blessing to be a witness to this fearsome part of her life... where God puts on the finishing touches of our bodies before we are born. Oh it has been such a privelidge!!! She's a beautiful baby, and if you don't believe me, ask her Daddy. (Or her Nani) (or her Nonna!)<br />
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So now on to the business of feeding and growing. As you know, she has reflux (not reflex- silly me-although all her reflexes are stellar as a newborn's should be!). Reflux is proving to be an obstacle for her to appreciate and love feeding. So sometimes she will take her bottle fantastically and lots of times she struggles with getting just 10 mls down. A full bottle at this point is about 50 mls. It is breast milk that is fortified with iron, extra calories and some vitamins for good measure. We are going to work more on breastfeeding and she is given 4 times a day to try either one. So every other feeding is an opportunity for Marianne to bottle or breastfeed. Her Occupational Therapist has been keeping a close eye on her and is going to experiment with a slower-flow nipple for her bottle and/or a thickener. <br />
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All of this will just take practice and time and PATIENCE and TRUST. I'm clinging to the end result: a baby that will bottle or breastfeed for each feeding. <br />
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As always, thank you for your prayers for us. We keep you in our prayers, too. <br />
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Oh- and the house... well, no news to report. A showing on Friday... I'm just going to put that one back in God's hands.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRzADtqDfNI/AAAAAAAAAQo/RvxZwDuUhzk/s1600/img_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRzADtqDfNI/AAAAAAAAAQo/RvxZwDuUhzk/s320/img_0823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-38339013003781471082010-12-29T18:47:00.000-08:002010-12-29T18:47:23.387-08:00A home for Christmas...That is one of my requests for Christmas this year...the other being for Marianne to come home from the hospital. Well, I guess it's the THOUGHT that counts, right? Silly Santa.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRvymoEyE5I/AAAAAAAAAQk/8M4nf8ejoi8/s1600/img_0949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRvymoEyE5I/AAAAAAAAAQk/8M4nf8ejoi8/s320/img_0949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-12435235649365221832010-12-29T18:36:00.000-08:002010-12-29T18:36:31.480-08:00don't say I didn't warn you...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRvvzYA0T8I/AAAAAAAAAQg/U6OcuSxT-Bc/s1600/img_0975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRvvzYA0T8I/AAAAAAAAAQg/U6OcuSxT-Bc/s320/img_0975.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another distracted driver has hit the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-31625405433556310992010-12-28T15:54:00.000-08:002010-12-28T19:17:33.291-08:00Looking Ahead...with TRUST<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRqni1MMtoI/AAAAAAAAAQY/N695A8r5QIE/s1600/trust%2Bdecor%2B-%2BPage%2B001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555937307150562946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/TRqni1MMtoI/AAAAAAAAAQY/N695A8r5QIE/s320/trust%2Bdecor%2B-%2BPage%2B001.jpg" /></a><br />“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!” – St. Catherine of Siena<br /><br />It is the beginning of the year and often we look to writing New Year’s resolutions. But last year I sort of bucked the system of “resolutions.” I invite you to join me this year: instead, take on a one-word challenge, one virtue or attitude to help us “be who we should be,” as St. Catherine might frame it. The challenge I set for myself last year was to embody gratitude. At the time, I was in a place where I felt very deserving of many things, and these things just were not happening for me or my family. I wrote “gratitude” on the chalkboard in our kitchen and placed around my home bible verses relating to being grateful. My circumstances may not have changed much, but my perception of them sure did. The Lord allowed me to see how Gino’s long hours were such a blessing to us because that meant a job, a home, food, clothes, etc. Lots of playing and loudness and dancing in the kitchen could have made me grouchy (and sometimes did!), but it reminded me of how blessed we have been with healthy children. An April pregnancy followed by a premature October delivery made me grateful for each one of our five children, all of whom arrived in God’s time and with their own unique personalities full of love and zest for life. Having a baby in the NICU for the past two months (and counting) helps me appreciate the awesome gift of life that each newborn represents. Being exhausted from going up to the hospital each day to visit our newborn and still running our home and running after four more kiddos make me so thankful for the help I have received from family and friends and STAMA moms: help with our children, meals, grocery shopping, decorating for Christmas, doing laundry… the list goes on, and the number of people who have lent a hand over the past ten weeks has been overwhelming. Yes, over the past year gratitude has become ingrained in how I frame the events of my life.<br /><br />This New Year, I feel called to take on another one-word challenge. We are waiting for our baby to come home from the hospital. We are waiting for our house to sell, and waiting to find our new home. It would be very easy for me to feel anxious, frustrated, and impatient about each one of these situations. And believe me, I have! So, perhaps our Father needs me to work on trust.<br />.<br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not;<br /><br />In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:4-5<br /><br />Marianne is still in the NICU and many prayers for her growth and health are appreciated. Thank you STAMA for your continued prayers and love and help for our family. You can keep up with her progress at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/mariannerossini<br /><br />Prayer for the New Year<br />O God of new beginnings and wonderful surprises, thank you for the gift of a new year. May it be a time of grace for me, a time to grow in faith and love, a time to renew my commitment to following Your Son, Jesus. May it be a year of blessing for me, a time to cherish my family and friends, a time to renew my efforts at work, a time to embrace my faith more fully. Walk with me, please, in every day and every hour of this new year, that the light of Christ might shine through me, in spite of my weaknesses and failings. Above all, may I remember this year that I am a pilgrim on the sacred path to You.<br />AmenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-59775846507328713622010-06-04T08:13:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:18:30.618-07:00Summer Day 1This morning the children woke up at 6:15. My husband was also awake. He actually left the house at 0645. This is unbelievable considering that it was like gathering cats to a bath every morning to get them out the door by 0745. Go figure.<br />I just finished round 4 of the olive oil treatment for lice for me and C. As I am pain-stakingly combing through her hair I am observing S scratching her little head like crazy. LORD help me. <br />So now it's 1015 and I am wiped out already. The laundry is up the ceiling and my little 2.5 cu.ft. washing machine is about to kick the bucket. We are meeting with realtors to put our home on the market. This means we need to start moving out of our home to make it "show ready". All I want to do is wiggle my nose and make it happen like Samantha did on "Bewitched". <br />Troops are restless. SUmmer joy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-76676118291310448712010-02-23T06:44:00.000-08:002010-06-04T08:27:41.079-07:00Faith and FailureLast night, as I was leaving to go to a meeting after dinner but before the children's bedtime, Caroline runs to her backpack and says, "I have to finish all of these worksheets by tomorrow!" Now, she was holding a 60 page chapter book and about 12 pages of questions. "WHAT?!"- I screamed in my head - "Really?" I said outloud, "well, you've got 20 minutes until bedtime, I guess I know what you'll be doing. I'll set the timer." She got to work fast after some grumbling and me looking at her with that, "you got yourself into this" look. Than I left for meeting. She stayed up about 20 minutes past bedtime and than woke up on her own about 45 minutes earlier and worked away. Now it was time for school. She still had 2 chapters and 3 pages of questions to go. "But I'll get a number!" (this is a disciplinary mark) "Yes, you probably will- but I doubt you will let this happen again, huh?" <br />Oh it was so hard to let her fail. It is minor, I fully realize, but it would have been easy to let her stay up later, and to help her with the questions. But how would that have really helped her? Anyhow, I read the following post on Faith and Family and was reminded how quick we want to label ourselves by our accomplishments. That is not how our Heavenly Father sees us. To him, no matter what, we are His Beloved. And that makes a world of difference. <br /><br /><br /><a href=http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/features/fail_forward/>Faith & Family : Features : Fail Forward</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-77931287381050646132010-02-11T16:00:00.000-08:002010-02-11T16:07:05.117-08:00snow<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S3SaX9HGlbI/AAAAAAAAAPs/kEwwj4toqyc/s1600-h/Feb+2010+063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S3SaX9HGlbI/AAAAAAAAAPs/kEwwj4toqyc/s320/Feb+2010+063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437140386475054514" /></a><br /><br />I LOVE this picture.<br />I love how the older three are looking up at the snow in awe and wonder. And I adore how totally frustrated Lydia is that she is being held by Caroline. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S3SbJEkT7rI/AAAAAAAAAP0/tF8R4G0XHus/s1600-h/Feb+2010+080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S3SbJEkT7rI/AAAAAAAAAP0/tF8R4G0XHus/s320/Feb+2010+080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437141230290202290" /></a><br /><br /><br />What a wonderful time of play in the snow. Gino was out in the thick of it, creating the largest snowman to ever reside on our street.<br /><br />Meet Snowbot 2010:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S3SbJf7oNoI/AAAAAAAAAP8/cxZv9x-A9c0/s1600-h/Feb+2010+086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S3SbJf7oNoI/AAAAAAAAAP8/cxZv9x-A9c0/s320/Feb+2010+086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437141237635757698" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-46216316208791990952010-01-30T07:26:00.000-08:002010-01-30T07:27:16.396-08:00Grossed out...sometimes, the mucus that pours forth from my children just overwhelms me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-41299282179254024762010-01-29T20:55:00.001-08:002010-01-29T20:55:24.075-08:00Jan 29So this month I got to get away for the First Patino Girl's Get-Away Weekend. The occasion was Gina's 40th and we left wondering what took us so long to do something like this? <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1C5xkidI/AAAAAAAAAO0/z1OE-aYDfwc/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1C5xkidI/AAAAAAAAAO0/z1OE-aYDfwc/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384637012052434" /></a><br /><br />And we set the next date before we parted ways. It was relaxing and invigorating. I learned to digital scrapbook (for the mom-on-the-move..."you mean can scrapbook on my laptop while I sit in the car waiting for Caroline in Step dance class??"). <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DVsj4hI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IkkYBaFnHyo/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DVsj4hI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IkkYBaFnHyo/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384644507230738" /></a><br /><br />I also got a jump on Tommy's baby book... yay! The kiddos enjoyed their Daddy weekend, too. (All I know is that all the icecream was gone when I returned)<br /><br />Upon my return, Sophia got very ill. She vomitted for 8 hours- unable to keep anything down. We had to take her to the ER after seeing her ped. She was shutting down from dehydration. Turned out to be strep. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1CEu1MCI/AAAAAAAAAOk/erpSleUtyx8/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1CEu1MCI/AAAAAAAAAOk/erpSleUtyx8/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384622773481506" /></a><br /><br />After pumping her up with IV fluids and antibiotics and antinausea meds, and watching "The Little Mermaid" a few times, she was good to go- praise GOD. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1Ctdi8pI/AAAAAAAAAOs/IA6IhWHIaR4/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1Ctdi8pI/AAAAAAAAAOs/IA6IhWHIaR4/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384633706836626" /></a><br /><br /><br />Caroline got sick after that and than Lydia, too. Now it seems like we are reaching the end of sicklesville and so we made some rice crispy treats after picking up the kids to celebrate. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DqMQtmI/AAAAAAAAAPE/LzbbCJ1IGKs/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DqMQtmI/AAAAAAAAAPE/LzbbCJ1IGKs/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384650008901218" /></a><br />(well, don't <em>you</em> go through carpool in your wedding gown?)<br /><br /><br />It's amazing how quickly ALL the kiddos show up in the kitchen when I start opening up some marshmellows. It is so hard to sneak eat around here!! :)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MMTlCSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/W9ScvbungQk/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MMTlCSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/W9ScvbungQk/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388095140235554" /></a><br /><br />Lydia loves the marshmellows that Tommy added to the top.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MuhxJoI/AAAAAAAAAPU/vQMApTYNCo0/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MuhxJoI/AAAAAAAAAPU/vQMApTYNCo0/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388104326555266" /></a><br /><br />Tommy gave the Treats two thumbs up.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4M4k-BuI/AAAAAAAAAPc/elsFNsXLyXQ/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4M4k-BuI/AAAAAAAAAPc/elsFNsXLyXQ/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388107024336610" /></a><br /><br />Than, today, Caroline came home from school with fresh lettuce from the Stonewall Gardens. (note Tommy's t-shirt) We were so excited that we made a big salad to go with the Red Curry Lentil Soup I made for dinner. Yum!! Until Gino discovered our little dinner guest at the end of his fork. It is not the greatest picture, but there is a little caterpillar at the edge of the tine saying, "don't eat me!". While a bit stomach turning, it was also gratifying to be reminded that no chemicals had been used in the growing of these leaves.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4NJEoQfI/AAAAAAAAAPk/QR77SrNL13E/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4NJEoQfI/AAAAAAAAAPk/QR77SrNL13E/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388111452094962" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-54608798768657046302010-01-29T20:17:00.000-08:002010-06-04T08:27:41.082-07:00Jan 29So this month I got to get away for the First Patino Girl's Get-Away Weekend. The occasion was Gina's 40th and we left wondering what took us so long to do something like this? <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1C5xkidI/AAAAAAAAAO0/z1OE-aYDfwc/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1C5xkidI/AAAAAAAAAO0/z1OE-aYDfwc/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384637012052434" /></a><br /><br />And we set the next date before we parted ways. It was relaxing and invigorating. I learned to digital scrapbook (for the mom-on-the-move..."you mean can scrapbook on my laptop while I sit in the car waiting for Caroline in Step dance class??"). <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DVsj4hI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IkkYBaFnHyo/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DVsj4hI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IkkYBaFnHyo/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384644507230738" /></a><br /><br />I also got a jump on Tommy's baby book... yay! The kiddos enjoyed their Daddy weekend, too. (All I know is that all the icecream was gone when I returned)<br /><br />Upon my return, Sophia got very ill. She vomitted for 8 hours- unable to keep anything down. We had to take her to the ER after seeing her ped. She was shutting down from dehydration. Turned out to be strep. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1CEu1MCI/AAAAAAAAAOk/erpSleUtyx8/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1CEu1MCI/AAAAAAAAAOk/erpSleUtyx8/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384622773481506" /></a><br /><br />After pumping her up with IV fluids and antibiotics and antinausea meds, and watching "The Little Mermaid" a few times, she was good to go- praise GOD. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1Ctdi8pI/AAAAAAAAAOs/IA6IhWHIaR4/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1Ctdi8pI/AAAAAAAAAOs/IA6IhWHIaR4/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384633706836626" /></a><br /><br /><br />Caroline got sick after that and than Lydia, too. Now it seems like we are reaching the end of sicklesville and so we made some rice crispy treats after picking up the kids to celebrate. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DqMQtmI/AAAAAAAAAPE/LzbbCJ1IGKs/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O1DqMQtmI/AAAAAAAAAPE/LzbbCJ1IGKs/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432384650008901218" /></a><br />(well, don't <em>you</em> go through carpool in your wedding gown?)<br /><br /><br />It's amazing how quickly ALL the kiddos show up in the kitchen when I start opening up some marshmellows. It is so hard to sneak eat around here!! :)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MMTlCSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/W9ScvbungQk/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MMTlCSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/W9ScvbungQk/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388095140235554" /></a><br /><br />Lydia loves the marshmellows that Tommy added to the top.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MuhxJoI/AAAAAAAAAPU/vQMApTYNCo0/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4MuhxJoI/AAAAAAAAAPU/vQMApTYNCo0/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388104326555266" /></a><br /><br />Tommy gave the Treats two thumbs up.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4M4k-BuI/AAAAAAAAAPc/elsFNsXLyXQ/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4M4k-BuI/AAAAAAAAAPc/elsFNsXLyXQ/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388107024336610" /></a><br /><br />Than, today, Caroline came home from school with fresh lettuce from the Stonewall Gardens. (note Tommy's t-shirt) We were so excited that we made a big salad to go with the Red Curry Lentil Soup I made for dinner. Yum!! Until Gino discovered our little dinner guest at the end of his fork. It is not the greatest picture, but there is a little caterpillar at the edge of the tine saying, "don't eat me!". While a bit stomach turning, it was also gratifying to be reminded that no chemicals had been used in the growing of these leaves.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4NJEoQfI/AAAAAAAAAPk/QR77SrNL13E/s1600-h/Dec+09-+Jan+10+025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/S2O4NJEoQfI/AAAAAAAAAPk/QR77SrNL13E/s320/Dec+09-+Jan+10+025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432388111452094962" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-1715158424832470892010-01-05T04:41:00.000-08:002010-06-04T08:27:41.085-07:00January 5If you go to google and type in "daily readings of the catholic church" you are going to get <a href="http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/frames/readings.html">this great link </a>that gives you the readings, and than leads you to a daily meditation that is a <a href="http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/frames/readings.html">video</a>.<br />The readings plus the reflection really spoke to my heart this morning. It's a funny time- I feel disconnect with my husband over several things, but we're working on it- because we DESIRE to be connected... and several times over the last TWO days, I have been touched by God. Through a dream, God spoke to me, very plainly it was HIM- after tossing and turning through many bad dreams and ugly thoughts about my relationship with Gino, I heard a voice say, "You are dwelling on separating with Gino- STOP. You need to dwell on reuniting with Gino." This stirred me immediatly out of my sleep and I woke up with these words echoing in my heart. God? Are you listening to my pain right now? YES. Not only listening, but reaching out to be with you in your pain and pull you through this pain. God desires me. He desires you. It's so simple and so unbelievable and yet it is the truth of the WORD. As it is written: from 1 John 4: 9-10<br /><blockquote>9 In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. <br />10 <br />In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. </blockquote><br /><br />GOD LOVED US and sent his SON as atonement for all our sins, so that we might be reunited, and connected with HIM.<br /><br />Than Gino and I made it to a Beyond Cana meeting, where we were talking about <a href="http://www.loyolapress.com/for-better-for-worse-for-god.htm">this book, which I own, but have not read yet</a>. Because I'm busy reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heat-Wave-Nikki-Richard-Castle/dp/1401323820">Heat Wave</a>. Oh the shame of it all. Anyhow, we talked about the seasons of marriage. The Good Friday-dying-to-ourselves season, and the Holy Saturday-waiting-for-God season and lastly, the Easter Sunday-joyful-and-physically-spiritually-emotionally-united season. Our discussion took us from how to reach other couples who are stressed in their relationship, to how it is perfectly normal to feel each season wholly and cyclically, just like in the church. I walked away refreshed and recommitted to the knowledge that my husband and I are 100% committed to the covenant that we have with each other. This is one of those seasons where we just need to get through by talking more, listening even more and praying above all even more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-36056029623325863872009-11-16T21:17:00.000-08:002009-11-16T21:34:18.091-08:00November<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1ik1ESuI/AAAAAAAAAOc/F-cSD1XABJk/s1600/Nov+2009+061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1ik1ESuI/AAAAAAAAAOc/F-cSD1XABJk/s320/Nov+2009+061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404941370916096738" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1QAbyJVI/AAAAAAAAAOU/lK4BmgFxvQg/s1600/Nov+2009+135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1QAbyJVI/AAAAAAAAAOU/lK4BmgFxvQg/s320/Nov+2009+135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404941051908728146" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PxUDAFI/AAAAAAAAAOM/qS-gjkTGEzs/s1600/Nov+2009+017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PxUDAFI/AAAAAAAAAOM/qS-gjkTGEzs/s320/Nov+2009+017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404941047849746514" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PrYmabI/AAAAAAAAAOE/9_bYNdGxvKE/s1600/Nov+2009+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PrYmabI/AAAAAAAAAOE/9_bYNdGxvKE/s320/Nov+2009+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404941046258231730" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PU7QcAI/AAAAAAAAAN8/PwYwDe4Dug4/s1600/Nov+2009+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PU7QcAI/AAAAAAAAAN8/PwYwDe4Dug4/s320/Nov+2009+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404941040229576706" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PP9KAtI/AAAAAAAAAN0/ZiJJIYHvu7U/s1600/Nov+2009+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SwI1PP9KAtI/AAAAAAAAAN0/ZiJJIYHvu7U/s320/Nov+2009+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404941038895366866" /></a><br />Seven Things that have happened in the last few months:<br />1. Gino's job has become a lot more intense, so it seems that I am single-mommying it for a little while longer.<br /><br />2. We are not moving anytime soon, so I switched around the family room and dining room, which made me loose the living room, but gain two bigger living areas that we use all the time and I love love love it! I also repainted the new family room an amazing color called atmosphere and it is a blue-green-smoky color... very peaceful. <br /><br />3. Lydia still does not sleep through the nights... where did I go wrong???<br /><br />4. I have learned in the last month that I have many food allergies which have contributed to a lifetime of chronic sinusitis, asthma, headaches and puffy cheeks... they include, but are not limited to: gluten, dairy, eggs, cheese, peanuts, yogurt... what a difference removing these items from my diet have made for my health! I can breathe! I can breathe! <br /><br />5. We have a vegetable garden that has given us green beans and now we are hoping to harvest some squash and carrots for thanksgiving. very fun. <br /><br />6. I am hosting my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and 3 month old nephew for Thanksgiving and I am so excited!<br /><br />7. I have many things, chores, "honey dos" to complete before next week!!!<br /><br />8. Caroline just turned 7 and Lydia will soon be turning 1. Where does time go? Time, our most precious commodity- I am really really trying to keep a pulse on how mine is spent and how my priorities reflect where my energy and time is spent.<br /><br />There you have it, a bonus one!<br />take care- ritaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-26734966766751968342009-09-20T13:00:00.000-07:002009-09-20T13:04:30.517-07:00an attempt to keep in touchhey there- I am attempting to do a better job of keeping up with family and friends through this personal blog. we'll see how it goes!<br />these are some pictures from our garden, which we worked on yesterday after receiving a week's worth of rain. (thank GOD!)<br /><br />Gino is working some today and the kids are taking over the house.<br />I am trying to finish laundry, grocery list, dinner, and the week's to-do list. It's one step forward, two steps back around here!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-70634224664775386402009-05-08T15:27:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.088-07:007 Quick Takes<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS07i7I1KI/AAAAAAAAANI/NZAsbEPKWws/s1600-h/7_quick_takes_sm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS07i7I1KI/AAAAAAAAANI/NZAsbEPKWws/s320/7_quick_takes_sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333586793793639586" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Friday</a> and you know what that means...<br /><br /> <strong>~1~</strong><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS1jXvnuQI/AAAAAAAAANQ/qdd-OKXyZUo/s1600-h/may+09+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS1jXvnuQI/AAAAAAAAANQ/qdd-OKXyZUo/s320/may+09+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333587477987309826" /></a><br /><br />DH started his new job this week and we feel very blessed that his new job allows for him to join us for dinner each night- something unheard of with his old job.<br /><br /> <strong>~2~</strong><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS2NEgzHcI/AAAAAAAAANY/joaTkxPmenc/s1600-h/may+09+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS2NEgzHcI/AAAAAAAAANY/joaTkxPmenc/s320/may+09+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333588194379374018" /></a><br /><br />My Dad was flying through the area and had a two hour layover...just enough time to run to Burger King and grab some fries and a drink together.<br /><br /> <strong>~3~</strong><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS3FKuragI/AAAAAAAAANg/tdB6lPjoyAg/s1600-h/may+09+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgS3FKuragI/AAAAAAAAANg/tdB6lPjoyAg/s320/may+09+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333589158120876546" /></a><br />Re-meeting my highschool girl friend after 16 years!! ~very strange~ but very fun,too!<br /><br /><strong>~4~</strong><br />I am trying to organize all my printed out recipes and so my dining room table is covered right now... it's always darkest before dawn, right?<br /><br /><strong>~5~</strong><br />One of the mom's at my dd's school is having her 3rd baby and so some other mom friends are throwing her a baby shower. I love that they are doing this for her, and I look forward to celebrating this little life. One mom was very put-out over the whole thing and complained to me about it. I wish I could think of a tactful way to tell her that this is a little PERSON we are celebrating- it doesn't matter if she were the first born or the eighth born! ... any ideas?<br /><br /><strong>~6~</strong><br />Went out this evening to meet with our small church community- three other couples who are the same age, with small kids and have a strong faith life, similar values, etc. We are watching the <a href="http://loveandrespect.com/">"Love and Respect"</a> videos. Very informative, if not extremely repetitive. The very strong message of loving your wife/respecting your husband will eventually sink into our thick skulls.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgUBpEFXG4I/AAAAAAAAANo/eusFWDHh2ik/s1600-h/may+09+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgUBpEFXG4I/AAAAAAAAANo/eusFWDHh2ik/s320/may+09+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333671138672712578" /></a><br /><strong>~7~</strong><br />Went to a Mother's Brunch at my 6yo daughter's school this morning. They served us oj and muffins. Than they serenaded us with such sweet cheesy mama songs that there was not a dry eye in the classroom. They also signed all their songs! I sat there watching my oldest baby, wondering who this girl was... she seemed so able and had such beautiful confidence. I am excited to get to know this little young lady as she blossoms to her fullest potential. This part of parenting is kinda fun, ya know?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-75711124140345311322009-05-07T15:14:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.091-07:00small successes Thursday<a href="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/images/dailyBlog/blog/small_successes_badge.gif"alt="FaithButton" height="180" width="220" border="0"></a><br /><br />I am <a href="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/brag_a_little_its_okay/">posting this </a>on the right day!<br />Today, I was able to go to my weight lifting class. Yep, I'm pumping iron. <br />My home is clean! (thank you, honey!!)<br />Making it to the grocery store and planning for the week is always a big accomplishment around here... and today it happened.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgNemJUFiJI/AAAAAAAAAM4/_nzroeaBuNA/s1600-h/april+09+049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SgNemJUFiJI/AAAAAAAAAM4/_nzroeaBuNA/s320/april+09+049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333210393165006994" /></a><br />"The Two Mommies"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-46873446824367909042009-05-04T11:34:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.094-07:007 Quick Takes<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/Sf84PjEryLI/AAAAAAAAAMw/iML5AD70LeY/s1600-h/april+09+041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/Sf84PjEryLI/AAAAAAAAAMw/iML5AD70LeY/s320/april+09+041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332042323594037426" /></a><br /><br />The Monday edition...<br />1. I did pilates this morning!<br />2. I must fold lanundry today!!<br />3. Lydia was up most of the night with a dreadful cough<br />4. We investigated bigger homes this weekend.<br />5. I dread putting my home on the market.<br />6. Gino starts his new job today!<br />7. my goddaughter received her first holy communion saturday- what a joy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-70033341549214865252009-04-24T12:08:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.096-07:007 Quick TakesHere are my <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/04/7-quick-takes-friday-vol-30.html">Seven Quick Takes for Friday</a>, (and the week for that matter!)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfIQLcCSFpI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/HR2-MKyO0ME/s1600-h/april+09+123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfIQLcCSFpI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/HR2-MKyO0ME/s320/april+09+123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328339097823090322" /></a><br /><br />1. My son turned 5 this week <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfITdLUfUFI/AAAAAAAAAMY/DXS__l1_Vts/s1600-h/april+09+039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfITdLUfUFI/AAAAAAAAAMY/DXS__l1_Vts/s320/april+09+039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328342701108580434" /></a><br /><br /><br />and we have been properly celebrating with <a href="http://www.stomprocket.com/stomprocketjunior.html">STOMP ROCKETS</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfITdTG97aI/AAAAAAAAAMg/XVOYUOgmfMY/s1600-h/april+09+037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfITdTG97aI/AAAAAAAAAMg/XVOYUOgmfMY/s320/april+09+037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328342703199350178" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><br />2. This is a BIG one. After being out of work for a year. Twelve months. My husband has received not one, but two job offers this week. Praise GOD. Please keep us in your prayers, for wisdom to discern the right one for our family.<br /><br />3. I exercised twice this week! I scheduled three times but my daughter had field day at school and really wanted me to show up for some of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfITdlHYNqI/AAAAAAAAAMo/a3vMDO2I-RE/s1600-h/april+09+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SfITdlHYNqI/AAAAAAAAAMo/a3vMDO2I-RE/s320/april+09+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328342708032911010" /></a><br /><br /><br />4. my house is a mess and I'm okay with it~ not really... but i'm ignoring it for now seeing as i only get three maybe four hours of sleep at a time.<br /><br /><br /><br />5. (I am going back and forth between typing one handed and not...) I am going through my daughters' clothes and storing them or giving them away... this is a long and cumbersome process... thank GOD for hand-me-downs. We just have such little storage that it is difficult to store all.<br /><br />6. After I pick up my daughter from school, I am going to hang out with some dear friends for our "beer-thirty" play date. They have a great big fenced in back yard, lots of kids and space and some Mommy drinks, too. Bliss. PLUS...tonight, my husband and I get to go on a date while my kiddos go to Parents Night Out<br /><br />7. Please keep my mother-in-law in your prayers as she is in and out of the hospital these days. <br /><br />Well, I've got a great Friday still ahead of me!! Okay, I better try and make a dent in all of these girlie clothes while my two year old is sleeping or you can fuhgedaboutit!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-73393116818912634902009-03-24T11:44:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.099-07:00Uncle AlMy Uncle Al passed away very suddenly from a massive heart attack over our spring break. So, we left our original destination, San Antonio, and headed to Brady TX.<br /><br />My family is pretty shocked by the loss of Uncle Al. He was a "gentle giant" and friend to all. Every year for Christmas he played Santa's elf and navigated us through the unopened packages. Having shaken, sniffed, and man-handled the gift as best he could, he would give us some heartfelt advice... "THIS is the ONE!"... you know, the one that everyone is going to want.<br /><br />His sudden death is a close reminder of my own mortality and each individual that I am close to. Our time here is unknown, so let us make the most of it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-21383712631176388242009-03-13T12:16:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.102-07:00Silver Girl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SbqxazIImlI/AAAAAAAAAMI/1do-9D0HMK8/s1600-h/march+09+024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SbqxazIImlI/AAAAAAAAAMI/1do-9D0HMK8/s320/march+09+024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312753784395962962" /></a><br /><br />Sail on silvergirl,<br />Sail on by.<br />Your time has come to shine.<br />All your dreams are on their way.<br />See how they shine.<br />If you need a friend<br />I'm sailing right behind.<br />Like a bridge over troubled water<br />I will ease your mind.<br />Like a bridge over troubled water<br />I will ease your mind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SbqxaifQg-I/AAAAAAAAAMA/fKDAymhlwHE/s1600-h/march+09+023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/SbqxaifQg-I/AAAAAAAAAMA/fKDAymhlwHE/s320/march+09+023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312753779929547746" /></a><br /><br />This is what happens when my 2 yo finds a bottle of glitter while I am nursing in the other room.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-69587224523888457742009-03-13T12:13:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.105-07:00What’s for dinner, honey?Tonight, I am going to try <a href="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/lovin_from_the_oven/">this recipe</a> from <a href="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/">Faith and Family</a> for Baked Oatmeal. <br /><br />My husband is working a Parent’s Night Out co-op, so it’s just me and the kids. <br /><br />We love oatmeal, and this seems like a good Lenten meal to make, since my health, yucky rainy weather, and, oh yeah, a dead car battery prevent me from going to the store! <br /><br />Oh well, one more step towards being more frugal with my money by cooking with what I have in the house and not running out to the grocery store as often as I used to!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-82024536222035444332009-03-12T07:18:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.108-07:00Small successes Thursday<a href="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/images/dailyBlog/blog/small_successes_badge.gif"alt="FaithButton" height="140" width="180" border="0"></a><br /><br />I completed a grocery list plus got my coupons together!<br /><br />I finally got the 6 loads of clean clothes all folded and put away.<br /><br />My babies stayed fed, clothed, loved and warm.<br /><br />One of those days where I am feeling a little bit sick and a lotta bit tired. It helps to add up the little things to make me feel like I accomplished something today!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059541609831369150.post-76239252736095084272009-03-11T06:34:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:27:41.110-07:00On This Day<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/Sbe-J3MmnbI/AAAAAAAAAL4/mJxAg6fB3cA/s1600-h/march+09+038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av4zmILID-Q/Sbe-J3MmnbI/AAAAAAAAAL4/mJxAg6fB3cA/s320/march+09+038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311923362151701938" /></a><br /><br />Please say an extra prayer for all of those seeking employment- that the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding will guard their hearts and the hearts of their families.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0