Time for a new Doctor?

On the way to a doctor appointment this week, my 3 year old had a brilliant plan!

"Mom, you need to change doctors!"
Why?
"You need to see 'that mom's' doctor because her doctor got her baby out and your's isn't!"

I really wish it was that simple...
For now, I will stick it out.  My doctor assured the lad that he would let our baby come out next Thur.  Five more days...unless God thinks otherwise.  I'd be ok with that, too.  ;)

IN the meantime, this weekend, I'll be watching soccer, and more soccer. With a mix of cleaning- mostly sweating soccer uniforms...You get the picture.

Cops and robbers...

Upon arriving home on the last day of school, my kids with some friends decided to get a good game of cops and robbers going.  I kept glancing out at their play, smiling...until I saw this:

It's kinda eerie, don't you think...

Until you get yourself together and realize he actually fell asleep while his sister was pushing him on the swings.

Off to your bed young man!

In a world of boys (and girls) we must keep up the Good Fight...

yet rest so we can be prepared for yet another battle.  

Just in 'Slime' For Easter

Kneed something to do? 

My boys recently made some slime, or silly puddy, or goo, or whatever you call it. The concoction has kept my kids rolling with laughter and creativity.  

Mix:

1c. washable school glue

1c. water

and paint 

(like life, I didn't see exactly how much they put in)  

*note: our red paint made the slime hot pink

mix in separate bowl:

1c water

.5c Borax

Combine Mixtures 

It's a bit gooey at first 

 But as it changes

 It gets less sticky

 And more strong...

Pizza anyone? 

Runaway slime...

Whoopie Cushion? 

 Whatever your mind imagines...

When you're done, keep it in a plastic bag and bring it out later! 

(You may need to add a touch of water to keep it pliable.)

We too can be a bit sticky at times, but when we combine our 'colorful acts' with some cleaning solution (Reconciliation), God's mercy and grace bring joy and strength to stay focused and keep working.

Let's make these last few days of Lent a time of joy and strength, so we too may Rise with the Love of Christ!

Advertising works

Though March Madness may be over, my kids continue to advertise. Their favorite line to mimic has been, "If you don't have an iPhone, you don't have an iPhone." One of my kids has carried this a bit farther. As she begged her little brother for something, I overheard:

"Pretty, pretty please with an iPhone on top!"

Sorry cherry, no more hype for you; technology is more appetizing than a sundae these days.

Precious Moments

Just when I think I haven't seen the little man and wonder why he's so quiet:

God gives me respite and melts my heart once again.

 It's been almost 2 years since I last witnessed this pose.

Snowman turns Mickey

 And Mickey visits the great white north!

So Long 2010!

Sin/Reconciliation

Child 1: "I need to pray for (Child 2) so she'll stop making me sneak into her stuff!"

Child 1 continues, "Her just leaves her stuff right where I can see it and tells me to stay away and that makes me get it.  Yeah, that's why I need to pray for her, so she can let me play with all the stuff I see!"

One of our children has the privilege of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this evening. (Not children listed above.)

-Adding prayer request for him and all families, please!

But, what a great lesson Child 1 teaches us.  Maybe, just maybe, it's not the annoying person (and their thoughtlessness about me) that needs to change.  Maybe I need change.  Maybe I should pray for self control so that I am not 'made' to sneak, lie, hurt, blab etc.  Adults need change - it's what perfects our souls.  We need to reconcile our weaknesses and sin and ask for the grace to love more.

That is the bottom line- LOVE.  Love that irritating person in our lives.  I was thinking this morning: I need to love more.  We don't ever get irritating to God.  It's quite the opposite. When we get more awful and irksome, he wants to be closer to us. He doesn't run and hide (we do).  He doesn't avoid companionship, He longs for it and waits for our return. Maybe I too should long for that companionship, wait in love for those I struggle with. I'm pretty sure that's why God has put them in my life: so I may grow in holiness.  I have nothing more to worry about. Thankfully, God has a plan for us - to bring us closer to Him.  That includes, most especially, the times we fail. These failings may be our greatest gift; we learn that sin and weakness is really all we have to give Him, and in return He fills us with love and strength.

I think we have the better deal.

Chorus, Dance, Both?

Three of us attended a honor choral concert for our oldest tonight. After a two hour car ride and eight songs it's a bit challenging to keep a 4 year old contained. Considering my one year old was helping record, it's not too shaky. We had a beautiful evening with great music. Here's a taste:

Healthy Snack?

This morning's rule was: healthy snack before eating candy.  

Bottom left was declared the healthy snack:

"The small pile is healthier because it's littler; so it's our healthy snack before we eat the big pile!"

I do know where they get it from.

All you Saints in Heaven Pray for Us!

Our 6 year old!

We've been trying to get this young man to wear pants to school. 

It is a bit brisk these days!

But he says soccer players don't wear pants.

Well this morning he had a revelation:

"Mom, now that I'm 6, I'll wear pants.  It'd be really bad if I froze to death and I was only 6 years old, right mom. 'Cuz that could happen to a 6 year old if they wore shorts today. 

I'm not going to die of fr-ee-zing!" 

So glad he thought of that this morning.  Thanks for sharing your humor, your love and your go-get-em attitude with us.  We hope to have many more beautiful years with you!

2 help each other out

Today my two older girls got to play on the same soccer team for the first time in over 6 years.

 Last time, the younger one helped out the older team; this time the older sister helped the younger team.  I was excited to see them playing together: working together on the same team and offering encouraging words.  It was heartwarming to see them cooperate on the field, helping each other out for the good of the team.

 Girls, teamwork does NOT have to be left on this playing field! :)

Deer Teachers

I am sorry my kids stayed up so late on a school night, but there was much learning to be done.  For example hands on learning about crushed bones, heart attacks and pericardial tamponade.  In other words, the thingies (protective sac) around the heart squeezes it a little (too much pressure) and then the doctor has to get a needle and do surgery up past the ribcage and put a tiny hole in the heart and take out the extra blood.

That's all
Have a lovely day

Living life 2.5 miles at a time...

My cross country girl!

Rain

And Shine

She gave it her all!  

She started off the year as the second to last varsity runner and moved up to 3rd for her school (2seconds shy of second to first!)

 Not that I'm proud of her or anything!

But I'd be running for my life with this inspiring coach as well.

 Way to Run, Girl!

Do you know how I live life...

Quick sprints with stroller

 And child on shoulders!

Totally worth it!

Whittling...

Last week my oldest son asked for help to carve a piece of wood.  I see why he asked for help.  My stubborn, lazy bones didn't want to get a different tool, and so the knife got me. After a call into Daddy, I met him on the soccer field with suture supplies telling him, "It's not that bad, maybe we could just tape and splint it."

  He disagreed.

L is for Loser