Friday, February 4, 2011

I will do my seven quick takes again, because that helps me think a little better.
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. 

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.

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??!! 

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. 
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!)

The abbreviated version of our snowed-in-looking-for-a-home-eat-baby-eat-week.

Summer Day 1

This 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.
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.
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".
Troops are restless. SUmmer joy.

Faith and Failure

Last 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?"
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.


Faith & Family : Features : Fail Forward

Posted using ShareThis

snow

I LOVE this picture.
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.




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.

Meet Snowbot 2010:

Grossed out...

sometimes, the mucus that pours forth from my children just overwhelms me.

Jan 29

So 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?


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??").



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)

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.



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.




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.


(well, don't you go through carpool in your wedding gown?)


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!! :)


Lydia loves the marshmellows that Tommy added to the top.


Tommy gave the Treats two thumbs up.



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.

Jan 29

So 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?


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??").



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)

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.



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.




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.


(well, don't you go through carpool in your wedding gown?)


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!! :)


Lydia loves the marshmellows that Tommy added to the top.


Tommy gave the Treats two thumbs up.



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.

January 5

If you go to google and type in "daily readings of the catholic church" you are going to get this great link that gives you the readings, and than leads you to a daily meditation that is a video.
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

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.
10
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

GOD LOVED US and sent his SON as atonement for all our sins, so that we might be reunited, and connected with HIM.

Than Gino and I made it to a Beyond Cana meeting, where we were talking about this book, which I own, but have not read yet. Because I'm busy reading Heat Wave. 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.

November

Seven Things that have happened in the last few months:
1. Gino's job has become a lot more intense, so it seems that I am single-mommying it for a little while longer.

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.

3. Lydia still does not sleep through the nights... where did I go wrong???

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!

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.

6. I am hosting my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and 3 month old nephew for Thanksgiving and I am so excited!

7. I have many things, chores, "honey dos" to complete before next week!!!

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.

There you have it, a bonus one!
take care- rita

Uncle Al

My 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.

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.

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.

Silver Girl

Sail on silvergirl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.



This is what happens when my 2 yo finds a bottle of glitter while I am nursing in the other room.

Small successes Thursday

I completed a grocery list plus got my coupons together!

I finally got the 6 loads of clean clothes all folded and put away.

My babies stayed fed, clothed, loved and warm.

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!!

Gardening in a Recession

Well my front yard garden bed looks absolutely barren. Usually at this time of year I am able to go buy a flat of beautiful begonias or some other brightly colored flower. Instead, this year I bought seeds of Zinnias, Purple Coneflower and Allysum. My 2 year old, Sophia and I planted them yesterday. I prepared the ground, dug holes and she scattered the seeds. Than she proceeded to mix and scatter the dirt. I have no idea if the seeds are still there or if she tossed them away. I guess I'll find out in about a week or two when they begin to emerge!! I will post pictures later!

Seattle

We spent Labor Day Week in Seattle with my side of the family to celebrate my little brother, JP's marriage to Meg.



Here are my sisters with their husbands and children, plus my hubbie and kiddos.



Lora and I are expecting November babies. (We both had October 2006 babies)
The three of us were all on the same floor of our hotel room and it was like a pajama party each night, catching up with mi hermanas.



A few more pictures with my sisters, Gina and Lora and all our kiddos around Seattle.

make a wish!

This is our family celebrating my mom's 59th! Isn't she beautiful?

"Next year", she informed me, "your Dad and I are celebrating our 60/40th"

What?

Turning 60 years old, married for 40 years. Praise God. This will be a momentous occasion.

Irish Eyes in a Panamanian dress

I found this dress at a consignment shop for kids in SA... three years ago. It is special to me, because it has the Panama Mola Indian Art on the top. I lived in Panama when I was about 6 mos old until 3 years old. My little sister, Lora was born in the Panama Canal Zone. In fact, she has that in common with Sen. John McCain.

I figured out that my children are about 1/4 Irish. Unless the stories that my paternal great grandmother, Mama Ann, tells are true in which they would be 2/3 Irish. Unless the stories that my maternal grandfather, Papo, tells are true, than they would be about 80% Irish.

We all want a piece of the Irish action.

samurai warriors

These are my mighty warriors. One of the exhibits at the SA Children's Museum was Japanese Culture. Naturally, we made samurai hats. Here they are with their game faces on.

spikey on spiders

So Spikey and I were playing with his farm animals near the bookshelf when along came a spider and sat down beside her (Fefe). Naturally, I stomped on the eight legged monster that was threatening to my children.

Spikey looks at me with great big eyes (and in my mind I'm thinking he's going to be filled with admiration for his Mama who has no fear for such nasty hairy arachnids that threaten the very existence of her children) and says, "MOM! Doncha know that little spider eats all the mosquitos so I don't get bitten!!!???" And than he looked down in horror at the squashed messy remains of a little spider.

I truly felt bad.
So much for chivalry.

I promised a viewing of Charlotte's Web later on today. Truly, the best spider to live, ever.

it bothers me...

that my children know who the Jonas brothers are.
I've never seen these guys before in my life.

pictures

I posted earlier about having the children's pictures done... here is a sneak peak. I get to see the rest tomorrow and I can't wait!