Hairs Cut for Choir

I had time to get some sewing done!  I had a $5 gift limit set before me...and I had to max it out! ; )  It was for Ethan's Mother's Day Out program..and he got a girl's name, Abigail.  (I cheered!)
So..I made her a string backpack, and we got her a silver/purple fluff/feather tiara to put inside.  Fun.  Here is a picture:

It's a Fancy Nancy fabric, and the inside is lined with lavender toile.  So cute!

..and I finally got Mary Claire a wintery pump pouch made-she wanted the snowmen. : )  I still have candy cane, gingerbread men, blue snowmen, green/ornament Susan Winget fabric, and red snowflake fabric..will I ever get those made too?

And then, today?  Haircuts, Toys R Us, and a Christmas choral concert! : )  The kids love the new haircut place: Pigtails and Crewcuts.  They had a train table, a separate room (that was quieter) for big kids or for little kids.  There were televisions/videos/Playstations at each salon station, and three cars for the little kids to sit in for their haircuts!  And since we took all three kids, at one point..they were ALL getting their hairs cut. ; )  

And here are my darlings ready for the concert.  (Doesn't Clay look different?!  I love that hair off his ears!):

Ethan was so cute!  He wanted a tie like his big brother ; )

Even Ches went to change into a blue shirt. ; )  (My picture with them is bad..I now have a pregnant face.)

Here is what Ethan did during the wait time...Angry Birds!  And he has gotten good.

The kids in choir.  Clay and Mary Claire are the second and third from the right.

The very impressive adult choir.

I thought I had a picture of the brass ensemble that performed..but maybe I was too busy watching?  They all did a wonderful job-the music was beautiful! : )  I hope they kids continue in the spring choir.  (I mean they have the uniforms now..) ; )


And I'm still doing fine.  The baby is kicking my bladder really effectively now, so I'm assuming he's getting pretty of calcium (legs are stronger), and his muscles are well-developed. ; )  Obviously I'm looking pretty pregnant since new people know I'm pregnant-you can really see it now.  I had a lady comment to me today after I told her that it's a boy that she is really partial to girls.  Umm..what do you say?  Especially when I would've loved a girl?  I said nothing.  (Didn't know what to say, so I said nothing..Isn't that what momma teaches?)

Before church today, I was setting up a room in the back to teach Children's Liturgy during church, and Clay was back with the altar servers.  He came and asked me to be a server since there were only four kids there (have to have 1, 3, or 5..don't know why).  I was so surprised he wanted to serve.  Are we making a breakthrough? : )  I mean he likes it, or he wouldn't be on the schedule, but he's never asked to do it when not scheduled.  And he knew by looking there weren't enough?  Hark, was he observant?  HeeHee, I'm so happy for him.  (Of course, I agreed.)


I think hungry tummies are calling..It's dinner time!  I better go.  Have a great week, peeps!  We only have two weeks till Christmas!  : )

Sharing Water

Me and my littlest sweetie went out to shop-he was so cute (and a handful!).  I had a $25 off coupon at Pottery Barn, and I just couldn't stand to see it go to waste.  So basically I got us all ready and went out..to spend money to save money.  Seems wrong, doesn't it? heehee

There is a lovely little (man-made) pond at our outdoor mall, and Ethan loves it!  He always wants to throw things in it (coins!), make wishes, and just sit to stare at the water fountain (that keeps algae from growing..).  I snapped some pictures of him with my phone-you know how I am with those pictures from the back.  So quiet and private, but so real.  Like how we see our kids in real life.

Thank goodness Spring is here!  We are super-thankful for warmer days.

Remember this is Holy Week-the highest holy days on the church's calendar, and we are dying to our sin with Christ, only to rise again with Him.  Today is Holy Thursday, and we celebrate the Last Supper with Jesus' disciples and the washing of feet.  Christ was a servant above all, and we have to reflect His love and serve others.

Sometimes it is super hard to put another's need above your own, when you can't see past your own face and problems.  But we can sometimes solve our own problems by listening, understanding (even if we don't like what we hear), and trying to help someone other than ourselves.  It brings clarity.

Today, try to wash someone's feet.  Both really (even your kids or spouse) or just serve another in a humble way.  At our church, the priest really washes a line of people's feet on Holy Thursday.  A few years ago, I was asked to have my feet washed, and at first I was so nervous.  But it was humbling for me too.  Our priest at the time was so sweet, and he poured water and washed and dried each of our feet.  It took a while, but it was moving.

Have you played outside barefoot, then come inside with dirty feet, washed off, and felt so refreshed?  It really is!  And now I understand it.  When you serve your children (we let them sit on the sink counter, and they submerge their feet in kitchen sink), they relax and are so sweet and calm when we are done.  They sleep better.

This is what God wants for us.  To wash our feet and serve us.  He's trying, so can you pay it forward?

ps-we didn't end up buying anything at PB-it was just so fun to hang out together, play with all the lanterns (he loved them!), and be in the sunshine.  SO worth the effort to get out!  Thanks, Pottery Barn for the adventure! : )

Serving

Today was Clay's first day as an altar server at church.  He was not really nervous, as he's grown up there, and he's very familiar.  When I got to Clay's PRE class to pick him up today, he was gone!  One of the other boys in his class was also serving today, so they left at 10am! (about 15 minutes early, and 30 minutes before church started!)  I didn't say anything, but I got Mary Claire and met them over there.  He was already dressed in his white robe.  I hugged him and gave him a kiss, and one of the boys asked if I was his mother.  I said yes, and he said, "Nice to meet you!"  I was just sure he was going to tease Clay about me kissing on him, but he was so sweet!  I told him he had wonderful manners and told the boys to help Clay.  I felt better about leaving him after I'd met that sweet young man!

The family who was going to teach Children's Liturgy during Mass was out of town for their son's soccer tournament, so I said I'd teach it.  I set up the materials (near where Clay was getting ready), and Mary Claire helped.  I'd texted one of my friends this morning to see if she'd help out since Ches is not into guiding 30 or more kids into a small room and keeping them corraled for 30 minutes while we teach.  (Wonder why?)  She agreed (bless her!) and we did absolutely fine for having had no preparation (no prereading the lesson...just winging it!) Ha!  Well..Mary Claire and I did pray before Mass that Veronica and I wouldn't be nervous, and that it would go smoothly like the last time.  She's a great prayer partner! (and sometimes she thinks of things I've never thought of!)

Then, I tried to take pictures of Clay processing into the church with the opening song and up front, but they were really bad.  I'd forgotten my camera after the Children's Liturgy emails and texts, and my phone is NOT made to zoom! : )

I'm well aware that these aren't very good, but let's just pretend.. He's the third boy in white that you can see.

This was at the very end, and he's in the very center of the picture, looking tiny from our spot.

Last one-can you see him better?  Closer, but more blurry.  Maybe I'll do better next time?

He did pretty well until he carried up the offering basket (with the entire church's offering-he told us it was heavy!) and didn't know where to put it.  He carried it around the altar, then over by the tabernacle, then finally the other boys were telling him to put it in front of the altar.  I think he was embarrassed, but he didn't say anything.  His sister kind of made fun of him at dinner, but he didn't get too mad.  I was so proud of him for #1) going to the training, and #2) wanting to be an altar server, and #3) being willing to do something new (even I get nervous!).

Only thing drawing more attention than the offering basket?  All the blood checks and beeping over on our pew!  Mary Claire had some strange high blood sugars after being only 76 at breakfast..weird.  She did get a bag of Easter candy in class this morning, but promised she hadn't eaten anything.  We always like to eat out after church, but she'd have to be in range.  ..Oh, and we had Ethan whining for his big brother..he wanted his Clay!  What a morning.

There wasn't much downtime today after lunch out, a baseball scrimmage, girl scouts, dinner, and some cards with Mom!  They did get late baths, some brief reading, and they are all passed out.  It's been a l-o-n-g,  productive weekend, and I'm sooo thankful it was so sunny and warm! : )

Fossils and Monkeys

I really do love boys, mine of course : )  I used to think I had a preference for girls, but I gotta say, Boys Rock.  They are so sweet, and creative, and love almost everything ugly, and give good hugs, and only want time.  I love it!

Today I went Fossil Hunting with Clay.  He was so upset that Ches hadn't taken him down to the creek yet (at the back of our neighborhood, there's a park/creek/covered bridge-and he loves to hunt for stuff!).  After dinner, I took him down there.  So fun!

 This is on the east side of the bridge-but then I realized we'd have to walk through HIGH grass to get to the dry creek bed, so we crossed the street, and went down the west side.  Much better.

 Doesn't it look steep?  It is!  And I had worn flip-flops.  Not really planning ahead.

 He started looking right away.  He was also carrying his bug jar, Just In Case!  He's still looking for bugs every chance he gets as research for boy scouts.

Checking things out..

The sun began to set, and I took notice of everything around me-just beautiful.  The trees "upstream" were framing the sunset.  The sun is at the very bottom-can you see it?

 This is our covered bridge-so pretty.  We'd originally planned to build right across from it, but they took so long finishing the road, we settled for a house up closer to the front of the neighborhood!  And now, they are building on the old lot we loved. (but they cut down the trees, and it's lots less amazing now!)

Fossils.

Looking west up the dry creek (silently thankful it's dry-I was worried about falling in on the steep banks, getting my shoes wet, snakes, and the fossils were WAY better on the bottom!)

This was a pretty tree (overgrown bush-thing?), I'm sure it's poisonous, but so beautiful with all it's bright red berries.

Then we came home, and it was still kinda light outside.  Clay's been wanting to show me how he can climb our trees (that our builder cut all the low branches off of!), and I just had to see it.  He throws up his soccer ball until it gets stuck, then he has to climb up to get it.  It's about 20 feet up in the air (or more!) so it really worried me!

Here he gets started shimming up the trees.  (I used to do this in my doorways at home!  I had to leave my socks/shoes off to get traction, but he is doing fine!)

 Almost there..

My other monkey!  He is up there, getting the ball down.

Then he slide/climbs back down the other tree! (only some bark was lost, Ches!)

He's so happy-Victory!

I love my sweet boys-they are just precious!  And they love time alone with us.  Today Ethan and I did a puzzle, and he just wanted me to watch him play on the driveway.  It is seriously the little things that matter to them.

Tonight I took soup to church for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults-people who are converting to Catholicism)-I love to cook (when I can!), and to have people to eat it-*Bonus*!  I'd made brownies (with mini-chocolate chips and pecans) yesterday, and I made some chocolate chip cookies to take with the soup.  Not hard, but when someone lets you help out, it really does bless you.

We talked at Bible study yesterday about people who are nice, but won't let you help-that robs us of a blessing!  When you let us help-think of the joy we get too! : )  Don't be selfish, let us help.  That's my slogan, hahaha! : )

My baby is asleep under my bed, again.  At least he's asleep, unlike last night.  He kept waking up at all hours yelling that he wanted to read a book-so funny (and frustrating!).

Love on your boys, and hug on your girls-they all need love just like we do!

Legends

Hey Ya’ll!  Sorry-yesterday was busy! : )  We had gymnastics, lunch with Ches, dance, baseball, and a long day!  Oh-and the new Grey’s Anatomy! : )  It’s my really the only show I watch, so I’m happy to see my old friends (heehee).  Christina got married!  (It’s really because she didn’t want to be alone, but anyway..)

 So, I have accumulated some pictures over the last couple days, so I'll share them:

He likes to line his cars up-he says they're at the Starting Line!

More thank you notes..purple this time! : )

 

 

 

 

 

When we picked up Ches for lunch yesterday, there were over 50 tents-students camping out for student tickets (to get good seats-they aren't assigned) for Saturday's Arkansas vs. Alabama game!  They were playing ball, eating out, studying-having fun enjoying the Student Life!  Last night John Pelfrey and Ryan Mallett handed out pizzas to the students waiting.  I *love* being a Razorback! : )  

 

proof that Mallett handed out pizzas : ) heehee

We went to see the Legend of the Guardians (The Owls of Ga'Hoole) this evening-it was a good movie.  Afterwards, the kids found this huge set for the new Narnia movie coming out-it was 3D with a huge ship's wheel to steer and layers of creatures holding on-a perfect picture opportunity! : )

After the movie, we stopped in Johnson to play on the Blue park (yes, that's what we call it!), and the kids had fun, despite the smoking/drinking people.  Ugh-it's a park, people!

Clay spinning on the fun toy that has no name!  It sits crooked, and you use your weight to make it spin!

Ethan just *loves* the duck-he'll go play, then come right back to it!

Mary Claire on the spinner toy.

I'd never been this far back-there's more!  There is a nice bench swing in the trees.

Playing tetherball together-I'm glad there are still some around.

Ethan's just a little nervous of that ball headed toward him!

Climbing : )

He stopped long enough to say, "Cheese!"

 
Mary Claire stayed home this morning-her blood sugar was high (285), and she wasn't feeling very good.  She cried and asked me to check her temperature.  She was 99.2, so I let her stay home.  She went in her room, and I didn't hear from her.  Later she came down asking for medicine, I changed her site, and she went back up.  Ches stayed here with her for a little while so I could go copy at the school, but when I was almost done, he called saying she wanted to go to school!  He brought her up, and we checked her in.  I had a few more copies to make, so she helped me, then went out to recess.

Within an hour and a half, her medicine wore off, and she was ready to come back home!  I went back to get her, and she was okay, but needed medicine.  (that's how good ibuprofen is-she felt great with it, awful without it!)

Then I had to run by the church, work on envelopes and books-and Sissy helped me! Then it was 3-time to get Ethan.  We got all his stuff (laundry!  He brings home his bedding/nap stuff on Fridays to be washed).

We ate dinner early (at 4!) so we could make it to the movies!  The kids totally pigged out on popcorn when we were there-you'd think they hadn't eaten anything!  And they were hungry afterward.  Maybe they're all growing?

Alrighty-I have to go to bed!  I'm SO tired.  I have more thank you notes to write, but I'm so thankful for the people who've helped us..the notes'll be there for me in the morning! : )

G'Night, peeps! : )

Dinner and a Movie

I always told Ches when when we were first married that we needed to go out on the weekend.  Friday or Saturday, I just wanted something to look forward to!  So he really does his best.  We used to take the kids out when they were tiny, then for a while we traded babysitting with a friend, then as the kids got more independent, we got a babysitter.  Even if we can't get one (because they're all so good-and busy!), we still go out.

We went out Friday night with the kids.  We took them to see Ramona & Beezus (pretty good, a three out of five), and then to dinner.  Saturday we swam, then had our showers and went to Missouri.  We had plans to meet one of Ches' high school friends for dinner in Joplin (we were meeting in the middle), but it ended up that he couldn't come.  We'd already told Ches' mom we'd come, so we did!  We dropped the kids off (we'd never left them there before!), and they played with their cousins and had dinner, while we went out.  We went to see Dinner For Schmucks* (which I didn't think would be that funny, but since it had Steve Carrell-I was there!), and it was really funny!  Not Date Night Funny, but really good.  It had a good ending, so it was my kind of movie.  Definitely better than Ramona.  (They didn't stick to one book, or even the plot in the books-they just used the title and characters to sell a movie-and Ramona's mom was totally not pretty in the book-quite the opposite in the movie-there were lots of differences-and I totally didn't picture Aiden as Mr. Quimby!)

So today is relatively calm as we went to church (so different than in NYC!), and went to Jose's for lunch. (they have tv's in the booths, so the kids LOVE to go there-good selling point, Jose's!)  We'll swim, maybe get a nap (if we're lucky!), and get ready for another big week.

Tomorrow I'm going to another specialist in Little Rock.  It's a totally different clinic than the one we went to last time.  Hopefully the doctor will be nicer than the last specialist!  My doctor recommended this one, and made me the appointment, so I have higher expectations.  It's actually an ivf clinic, and I'm not sure why he chose them.  We don't have a problem getting pregnant, it's just staying pregnant!  I hope to learn something, gain some hope, and not lose all my blood.  Ches thinks we have nothing to lose by going, but I don't see what one more person can add.  We'll see.  Keep us in your prayers!


*In the movie, they never actually used the word schmucks.  They actually called it a Dinner for Idiots.  The boss collects things: people.  Special people.  He likes all the employees to come, bring an extraordinary person (read: idiot), and he gives a trophy at the end of the night to the best (worst) idiot.  The employee who brought him moves "up" in the company).  Yes, a crazy theory, and they say that all through the movie, but it ends well, I promise.

Perfect Timing

Apple-Cheddar-Squash soup: I know it sounds all healthy-but it was delish!  It actually has two whole apples, a butternut squash (yes, here was me finding a butternut squash-first time-and then trying to cut/peel/dice it! Ha!), 2 cups of grated cheese, onion, apple juice/cider, and chicken broth.  I added some garlic (because I like it in all things).  Here's the recipe if you want to know more, but I loved it!  It tasted a little like a yummy corn chowder recipe I have, but maybe sweeter?  I got a new calendar Friday night after about 2 weeks of intense-calendar-shopping (yes, really!), and I was planning meals and making a grocery list...and googled easy summer meals.  Ha! Google delivers again.  I found about four new recipes, so HaPpY!  (Here's an old calendar like mine, I had trouble finding them online-I had one last year, but only found them in Borders this year, even though I have B&N gift cards to use!  Hmm..what to shop for..)
Mary Claire went to a surprise VBS tonight (well, she was invited right before it was time to be there, so I let her go!).  She was excited to go with a couple friends, so I think she'll have fun.  She was swimming at a friend's house today (after swimming with us twice-so yes, three suits wet!), and was invited to go along.  They brought her back to change, and she was out the door.  I feel like she's so much more grown up.  She put her own pump back on (please, God, keep her site good after so much soaking today..), and called to tell me what they were having at dinner (yes, they served food!), and gave herself a bolus.  My little girl.  So she missed out on my new soup, poor girl.  (heehee-her choice would've always been chicken nuggets and trail mix-Woo-hoo!)
Friday afternoon I got the opportunity to go to the church and straighten the books in the pews, put new envelopes in the holders, and clean up a little.  I was having a rough day when I got there, ran all the way to the door (since it'd started pouring down rain!), got a hug from Mrs. Sherry, then went into the church.  It was so quiet, and there were people getting ready for a wedding, rehearsing.  There was music on quietly, and it was so peaceful.  I finished the section I was supposed to do, and it was still pouring down rain-so I kept going.  The church emptied out, and I was alone.  It was perfect-I'd say God sent the rain to hold me closer, longer.  I needed it, and I went through all the sections, just perfecting books, then through the cry room, which didn't seem like it'd been touched in weeks (or else kids had destroyed it fast!).  There were NO envelopes in there (I know, I know, kids crumple them, play with them, and stuff them in crevices), but what if those kids want to take offering up in a sweet little envelope?  Well, now they can. (hope I don't get in trouble for giving them envelopes!)  Anyway, by the time I left it was dark, quiet, and I was ten million times calmer.  My arm had been hurting when I went in, but I totally forgot about me, and enjoyed my time.  Thank you for the opportunity-sometimes God gives us choices-and blesses us tremendously.
Thank you, God, for our wonderful friends, our church of peace, your sun to play in, and food to share.  Many blessings coming our way! : )

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

Communing with Christ

I'm sure I don't have to tell you..it's been busy!  We have been getting ready for Mary Claire's First Holy Communion this week.  Today was her big day.  We got up by 8am to get started!  Think: Prom.  We bathed her, practiced communion, rolled her hair, got her nails done (clear 'diamonds' for her fingers, and hot pink with two coats of diamonds for her toes), served her lunch, then began to get dressed, curled the hair that didn't take the rollers too well, and hurried off to church!
We were in such a hurry, I didn't even get to take my requisite picture outside the garage or front door. : (  She said, "Why don't you take one now?"  So I did.  Driving out of our neighborhood!  We caught a beautiful car I noticed as I looked at the photos tonight.  I can see it was in front of Damian Williams house-don't know who's car it is..  

It just ruins a beautiful dress to crunch it into a seatbelt, but I wouldn't dream of driving her around without one!  We rushed (and I mean, sped) to the church, only to W-A-I-T.  We made it on time (meaning no pictures outside, no changing my clothes 14 times, no time to try on clothes that fit...), and then they didn't start taking photos!  We were only the third in line, and by 2:20, I went in to see why we were moving (as we had to run to Rick's to pick up her cake between pictures and 3:15 for the group picture line-up!), and his daughter told me he'd forgotten the camera at home.  Umm..if your job relies on your camera, don't you pack it first?  I mean, I even remembered mine.

 This is my picture of her getting her picture made..I really wanted her standing up-with her dress in the picture.  This was Terrell Rohrbach's first year taking (our First Communion pictures) individuals, so maybe next year's kids will have a different pose option?
Anyway, then we saw the sun!!  We were leaving the church to go get the aforementioned cake (and fast!) but we stopped outside to take a few more pictures right outside the church.  Clay had taken so many beautiful ones last year out in that exact spot, so I wanted her to have some there too.  We had some sweet friends take a couple of me and Mary Claire together too-thank you, Sandy!

S

Then in the crazy Fayetteville traffic, we encountered Arkansas State Troopers stopping traffic for a motorcade of big charter buses-I mean, only when when you're in a hurry!  They informed us that the cake should NOT be left in the car for three hours, so I had to call Ches and ask him to bring a cooler to the church!  We made it back late (surprised?), but in time for the group picture.  There were so many kids, I don't know if I'll be able to see Mary Claire's face in the tiny 5x7 I ordered her!  I didn't realize it wouldn't be just her class.  I learn something every day.  This is her in the crowd:

S

I'm not so good on the red-eye removal, so sorry.  At least the camera caught her, it was really zoomed out!  Then there were no pictures in Mass, but we ordered the video, so we'll see it another day.  I couldn't really see her receive communion since her teacher was guiding the class, and we ended up on the first row.  I thought it'd be a great seat with a good view, but there's not a perfect seat.  Ethan was pretty good, I hesitate to say that, but compared to some weeks, it was pretty okay.  He really wanted his sissy, but we made it.

Then we stayed late and of course-took more pictures (you can see more of the pictures in the slide show below)!

Then we let her pick where we went, and she wanted to eat at IHOP!  What a cutie.  She saw a commercial on tv this afternoon, and it was about the kids meals, and there was no changing her mind!  There was (luckily) a new IHOP in our area (Ches looked it up online, since we weren't sure where one was!), and we all had breakfast-dinner: her favorite!  And it was all about her today.

Then we headed home for cake!  Does it get any better?  Stuffing yourself with pancakes, only to chase it down with cake and hot tea? Yum!  Rick's did an amazing job on the cake-I loved it!  The only thing better? The taste of perfection!  Ahh, so good.

Well, the picture doesn't show it so well, but it was beautiful!  Finally, we wound down with a game of Clifford Bingo.  A precious end to a precious day.

Thank you, God, for my sweet daughter who is so excited to be a part of your family.  We are all one body in Christ.  I can't wait to see all my other children in Heaven.  What a blessed day it'll be, when we all get to Heaven.. (a treasured song from my church childhood sings in my heart and head..)

..so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 12:5

 

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Kids are so funny. They have played Scary Monsters, ran around the house playing laser tag, now they've calmed down, and Clay is reading "Oh Yikes! History's Grossest, Wackiest Moments", and Mary Claire was playing doctor with Ethan. In just the time it took to type this much, she examined him, gave him a pretend shot, and he began to cry Seriously Loudly. Then when he got a tinker toy lollipop, he tripped, dropped it, and now wants it washed. Heehee (and then she really washed it in the sink) They are creative, and I'm never bored-you will never hear those words slip through my lips.

Today was chaos at church. I always hope for it to be a nice, relaxing time with God, you know, an opportunity to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to recharge for my week. But, then we don't go alone, so I set my expectations way too high! The kids were at PRE (like Sunday School), and the north parking lot was so full (and there's no outlet!), so Ches dropped me and Ethan off at the front doors. We wriggled like salmon upstream to get to Mary Claire, then had coats, purses, backpack, folder, and beautifully decorated cross (which seriously hampered my Holy-Spirit-filling later), and had to go outside to another building to get Clay. And so it began.

His classroom was AGAIN dark and empty. It is now 10:18, and the kids get out at 10:15. Earlier in the year, they would make us wait in the hall (and we're Catholic and everyone has other kids with them in line), like sardines packed in between other parents coming and going, and moving in and out of the way so they could go out the exit door of the building-pure purgatory, in advance. Anyway, my point being, that I learned to get Mary Claire first to avoid the hallway hubbub. Well, now they are gone! This is the second time it's happened. The first time I freaked out, looked ALL over the church (bathrooms, nursery, gift shop, vestibule, up in the pews by Ches, Cry Room, etc.), and found him down in another PRE hallway (far from where he was supposed to be in his other building)! So, I found him more quickly this time, but I complained. I try to be nice, especially since it's *church*, but it's crazy! He should be where I left him, especially since we have high security, and I have to "sign" him out. The director told me the teachers go to 10:30 Mass, and they didn't want to be late. I said that I was going to be late now after trekking all over campus looking for my son! I asked if he could be in a consistent place each week so I could come right to him, but she said no. (??) She said they get out at 10:15, then they bring the extra kids to Faith Hall, in the main building. I said I had two kids to pick up, and one of them can't be picked up at exactly 10:15, so one will be a couple minutes later. Long story, but it was aggravating.

So, then the glitter. We got into church, and our journey had been all about preserving the glittery cross. We dropped Ethan at the nursery, and the cross survived the clinging child (yes, he asked to go in there), the coat-rubbings, the crowds of people, etc. When we got to the pew, I hung it around a hymnal in the book rack of the pew in front of us. It kinda got in the way when we were kneeling, but there was no better spot (it was wet and glittery after all). Well, the next time we stood up, Mary Claire didn't like her legs touching it, so she laid it on the pew. You know what happened from there. Then it was all over her dress, and she turned the dress all around to the front to check out the wet purple glitter (and gave everyone a nice view of her tights). She sat on her coat to protect the pew, but then the glitter started to dry (and harden) and bugged her, so she picked at it. She raised her hands up high (so everyone could see the beauty), and began to pick at her hands, making glitter fall down like snow. I lowered her hands, and she pulled on the glue to make stretchy-like wads between them. Then they got crusty, and she kept playing. Then she whined, wanted her dress washed, wanted to go get a drink, her throat hurt, needed to go to the bathroom, and it continued. I kept telling her to be quiet and asked if her teacher told her to be quiet all the time. She said no, and I silently thought to myself what a saint she is. The teacher, not Mary Claire, btw. It continued until the end, and it was hard. I hate it when I can't focus, it's just not the same experience. I know God knows I was trying.

I tried something new today: I let Clay go get Ethan from the nursery. It was nice! I usually talk to people all the way there, and he's the last one to leave (which makes me feel guilty). Today, we got to leave pretty quickly, and Ethan fought us all the way to the car. He wanted to go the opposite way of the van! I tried to stop, kneel down to his height, and ask where he was going, but he could just tell me, "That Way!" toward the moving cars and other parking lot. Yep, a crazy morning. I am still glad we went, but sometimes we have to adjust our expectations. I totally didn't expect a missing child and sticky purple glitter.

Hopefully if you were at church with me, you were so busy, that you didn't notice my glittery, talky experience. I hope you were filled with the Holy Spirit (maybe even enough not to judge our family?). heehee

Could you spell Paraphernalia without a spell checker? Correctly?

Whew. What a weekend! Need TMI? : ) We've had baseball, soccer, and the HOGS football!! There's been so much!

First was Clay's baseball game (in which he had a slide-into-home-plate run!) (which helps us get our money out of those sliding pants under his baseball pants that you can't even see!). Ethan successfully climbed the bleachers (!), whined to go play on the Park, desperately wanted popcorn, a drink, spilled my drink, wanted his *Clay*!, etc.

Then, we made it to Sam's, and they had Chester Cheetah outside, free Cheetos paraphernalia (which made it to our house..), a football throw, AmAziNg barbecue from Damon's BBQ (a vendor outside)-there was so much we couldn't made two meals out of all of all the ribs (FaLL of the bone-tender, seriously) and pulled, smoked pork. Then after an hour or so we made it inside the store to all the yummy samples (I just Love Food Day!), but I was too full to eat (note to self: game days are Food Days).

Last night, we did NOT make it to the great tailgating party that was at Pratt Barn, and was so cool! We are uncool (and have kids). We did, however watch the Razorbacks vs. Georgia Bulldogs (and were sad they didn't WiN!), at the same time as Minority Report and Sweet Home Alabama (yes, all at the same time!). We were up until MR went off at 12:12 last night (this morning!). We should totally not do that. We do it every night. I'm usually in bed by 11, then Ches moves his big eating party to our bed (yes, includes sandwiches, chips, cottage cheese, and ice cream in FRoNT of me!), and watches Jimmy Kimmel (and he DoeS make me laugh!), but last night we pulled the triple header, and we were so tired this morning!

I think part of it was Mary Claire. She was so low all evening. She was between 48-88 all evening. I was giving that girl free juice, sugar tablets, popsicles, and she was still staying low! We also turned down her pump's basal rate to 0% almost all evening. She was still dropping! I think I learned from it though. (Was there ANYthing good to come of it?) I think her basal is too high, even though her doctor thought it was too low in March. And I think her bolus ratio for food in the evening is too low. I think that might be why we have so many problems with irrational (unreasonable) blood sugars in the evenings (usually 9pm-12am). When her basal drops down at midnight to about .25 units an hour, I no longer have to worry about her. So, I'm still learning, five and a half years later. . .

Today, was church, and the first day of PRE for the kids for the year! Mary Claire was most excited, since this is the year she'll make her first communion! She just can't wait! : ) Sweet girl. Clay was only nominally excited, as he's peaked for a while. He did have fun in class since he found fellow boys to horse around with. (I did note the preposition, but it works for me)

Then, we had the seating dilemma. We don't really have a pew staked out, per se. We just sit in the same general area every week, and our church can get full. So. We planned (well, Ches planned. I really don't care. Really.). He dropped me off (not at the door I requested), and I went to get the kids from their rooms (two different buildings, but I got to see old friends!). I was supposed to take them to church, get Ethan from Ches, and take him to the nursery, all the while Ches would save us seats. Well. When we (me and oldest kids) got in there, Ches was alone! Come to find out, Ethan pitched a big ol' fit about No Church!! Play! so he didn't even bother trying to explain that I was going to take him to play, he just took him. (Yes, I know, it's going to be rough when he transitions back into church with us, but it works today, and I'm all about making it today.) So, we had seats, even room next to us, so crisis averted. : )

Today, my kids made a Space Ship out of all the tubs I bought to clean out their closets! I'll post pictures if I can get my camera battery charged enough to upload the pix! They are having very loud fun (which is almost as good as sneaky, quiet fun) since people get to know how great it is!

Ches' Biggest Issues:
Travel (includes, but is not limited to: car traffic on busy/game/event days and Wal-Mart employee traffic to Bentonville around 8am and toward Fayetteville after 5:30pm; plane travel: making it to the airport, getting through security, getting to the gate, food at the airport, getting kids through the airport, getting internet at the airport, parking at the airport, getting a rental car at the airport, getting a big enough car at the rental location, finding our way around a new city, finding the hotel)
Food: having enough (must go to grocery store multiple times a week, must always have Breyer's neopolitan ice cream, fat free cottage cheese, Hiland fat free milk, Coke bottles (small, 12 oz), his Diet Dr. Pepper cans, Diet A&W Root Beer cans, Sugar Free popsicles in Fruit Flavors, Tropical Flavors, Sargento cheddar jack cheese sticks, Smucker's grape jelly in the upside down squeezy bottle, Reduced Fat peanut butter, crackers, bread or buns...) Missing these items involves a trip to the grocery store. Even at 10pm. Must go to grocery store immediately after landing in a new city, usually before the hotel. Takes snacks on every road trip (even on the way to church-10 minutes away, on the way to take Clay to a practice, or on the way to the grocery store), Takes food to the movies (even though he buys popcorn and Coke every time)
Ok, I should stop. It's getting longer! : O

We asked the kids what they really wanted for Christmas, as they are old enough to only get one nice present, and we're tired of traipsing all over town for every little adorable thing to come along (And they're rooms reflect it!). This year, we started earlier than usual (we're usually done by Halloween-it works well for planning, but not so much for budget since we miss all the sales). Clay has decided on a Nintendo (I think) DSi (and he wants Mario Bros. game with it-yes, he called it bros. rather than brothers!), and Mary Claire wants either at DSi since she can play games AND music with it, or a pink iPod nano (and if she gets the DSi, she wants the Barbie horse game). So, I told them that now we've discussed it, and shopped at Sam's, we shouldn't speak of it anymore. Well, Clay was *game shopping* today, and locked up Ches' computer!

Clay: But, Mommy, I was just...
Me: No Buts. No more speaking of it, or it won't be a surprise on Christmas morning!
Clay: Ok, but don't forget Mario Bros!

To Go or Not to Go

I've made it this far. And that's good enough for now.

We did go to church, after much agonizing discussion. We debated on going to another Mass (another time or church), to make it easier, but in the long run it just prolongs the process, and I love my friends at church, and they love me. It was therapeutic. I mean it's always good, but sometimes you are so deep in yourself, you can't see anyone else. It's nice to look out and see other people alive and living their lives.

Today, Karen and Tom did Children's Liturgy, and Fr. John said they might need help. I debated and waited till the kids had gone back, then did some more debating with Ches, and went back to help out. I missed the homily, but I know Fr. John posts it online, so I'll check it out later. : ) It was good, and almost all the kids were good. The gospel reading was about laws, and we talked about God's law vs. man's laws, how their different, and the consequences. The kids knew a lot, and one boy kept telling that if you do bad things, you get the death penalty. I'm wondering how he knows all about that. Another girl kept laughing at everything. I can see why they need help, and really more teachers to rotate. I just can't take it on right now. Ethan's almost old enough, but my future is blurry right now.

We had pizza and went to Tim's. It's always good, I have their number in my phone, so I call ahead, and it's ready when we get there. That's my Easy Button. You can't push it too often, but it works. Ethan is getting so much bigger, and behaves at least 20% better than he did this past winter.

My whole world has changed, and it's just weird. Very Surreal. I'm back in my What To Do Next phase, and we'll just wait and see. There's not a right answer, and I like that. I can't choose wrong.

Ches says now that maybe it was toxoplasmosis. He looked some theories up online, and it was his conclusion. We all want an answer, and he's a disease specialist (and teaches epidemiology). It's his thing. So, it does stand to reason. We have had more to do with Purrahna (feeding and petting her), she lives at our house/yard/porch/deck. She poops in Ethan's sandbox (along with all the other cats), and Ethan just scoops it up and throws it out (yes, gross). We also learned that cats get it from birds (and I've been feeding the baby birds, and tapping the nest to get them to wake up. So, yes, I've learned something: you don't even have to have a cat to get it! I'll have Dr. Gorman test for it tomorrow just to see. I know it could be anything, but if you are in our situation, you look for any possible reason.

Tomorrow, back to the doctor, more probing, and maybe more answers. I think I'm ready to go back. I feel braver, more in control of myself, and I can do it. Maybe I won't lose it.

Just pray for us. God knows what we need even more than we do. Just pray for His will. He has a plan better than I could ever dream. He got me this far!

My Near 9 Day

Really poopy. That's how his breath smells. I thought I'd throw up in the middle of story time tonight. : P I hate to say negative things, but it is just true. He was eating cabbage (raw. He's a strange eater.) while I was reading. There were three kids around me, so I really had to ask what that awful smell was. I thought maybe it'd been too long since I'd smelled raw cabbage, and maybe it'd turned moldy? Nope. He's just been away from home since yesterday (without a toothbrush), and it's putting a serious cramp in his style! (and breath). Ugh. I can still smell it. I've been telling Ches for ever that he needs to go to an ENT to get checked. He can't hear, sleeps/eats/breathes with his mouth open, and always has allergies/stuffy nose. I KnOw it's a problem. I think since it's not life-threatening like diabetes, I tend to put it on the back burner. He's brushed twice and mouthwashed three times. Yep, can still smell it.

On another note (or is it similar?), my laundry level has been down. Small Cheer! The child who's been away wore the same clothes for two days (and slept in them), so that's half a load less, at least! Then Mary Claire and Ethan have been generally wearing their jammies till 3 or 4 when they switch to swim suits, then afterwards, put on clean jammies. Much less laundry! I can't say that it's super-hygienic, but it's nice to have a small laundry-vacation (Laundracation?) every now and then!

Funny: when I called Mom on her cell phone, she wanted to call me back on her land line so she didn't get cancer in her libido. : ) Heehee, she makes me laugh!
*Sometimes you really can hear a buzzing sound in your ear, and you can feel the radiation coming right into your head!*

I read this good quote, and maybe it sums up why I'm overwhelmed!
"Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense." -Gertrude Stein
I hear so much (books, tv shows, email, facebook, ads, magazines, junk mail, personal recommendations, news on tv or papers), it's real work to filter out the important things. I'm now trying to get enough calcium (since most women only get an average of 868 grams a day, but need 1200), eat more fruits and veggies (and less meat and Coke), treat every opportunity with my kids as super-valuable (lest it be their last), I have added earthquake insurance (just in case, since eastern Arkansas is on a fault line), let my kids play in the kitchen with food, pots, bowls, and spoons as I make dinner (yes, I got this in an email about two-year-olds getting too much tv as moms make dinner). You get the idea, I'm overwhelmed with recommendations! So, I guess I've lost my common sense. I'm going to work on that. I'm adding it to the list. It looks like this so far:
1. Work on memory.
2. Work on common sense.
3. Finish hanging curtains in breakfast room.
4. Stay on task.
5. Find church envelopes. (or call and ask for more)
6. Skip reading for a while?

Ok, need I tell you I had an awesome time in church today? I think I've already told like 6 or 7 people (maybe 3 before I left church even?). Ethan went to the nursery today, and I got to LiStEn in church today! : ) I mean pretty much. Aside from the running commentary on Bella. (the unicorn) She had a nap, then her momma woke her up, and told Bella she could sleep after church. She tried my ring on her horn, tried my bracelet on as a necklace, snuggled with me, had her diaper changed twice, prayed, kneeled, waited on us while we were gone, sang songs, etc. I told MC if Bella didn't reign it in, she couldn't come back to church. (Mean, wasn't I?) I was really trying to hear. Mary Claire just wants to know how many more songs till church is over, and asks at the most crucial parts of Mass. This is why seven year olds aren't old enough to receive (or respect) communion. Ok, so despite all the Bella-action, I still had a great church day! I didn't hear screaming (except from Other People's kids-doesn't bother me!), didn't have to wrestle anyone, had no choo-choo noises, and no potty breaks (except before and after church)! All and all, a near "9" experience. Pretty good in my book. I figure I'll raise my standards when my kids are older.