Fine Lines

  Recently I've been thinking a lot about "fine lines".

 I'm at a very easy point in my life  right now. I've often said if I could freeze time right now I would. My oldest is 11 and my youngest is 3. PERFECT!! Not yet dealing with teenage angst and not too young for sleepless nights. Ahhh, what could be better? So, I've got myself in this spot where everything seems to be a no-brainer. Feed them, play with them, do homework, be a taxi driver, and love them. Great!

 So, am I okay to just sit back and enjoy? Why do I feel guilty about that?  Because it seems when I put myself out there,  to volunteer or something like that,  I end up feeling anxious, moody, grumpy, edgy, and so on and so on. There is no living with me until that "duty" I've signed up for is over. Then afterwards, I'm so glad I did whatever it was that was causing me ( and everyone else ) so much grief!  Hence, the "fine line".

  I don't have the answer. I guess living a prayerful life is the only way to get the answer. Sometimes I may need to move out of my comfort zone and other times I may have to know my limits and put myself and my family first. Each will have their own rewards.

  Today I had the "opportunity" to watch a room full of kids ages 2, 3, and 4. I was so nervous about this that I spent an hour online last night looking up "circle time games" for preschoolers just so I would survive the 2 hours I had to entertain them. It ended up being such a rewarding experience. It was a room full of sweet children who listened, shared, helped, and made me laugh. At the end of our time together, I asked if they were to rate how I did today, would they give me a "thumbs up, thumbs down, or thumbs to the side"?

 Half said thumbs to the side, but I did manage to get a couple of thumbs up. I didn't push the ones who didn't answer.....I didn't want to know! 

 But when I got home today, I got this picture from Jesus.




Great job today Kathleen!

 PS. Having a bit of anxiety now hoping that no one considers this sacraligious.
P.S. For all of you who read the title and thought I was going to be talking about my face, shame on you!!

You Call Him Dr. Jones, Doll!

  Can you tell we watched Indiana Jones recently?

At least, that's who he's trying to be.

September 8th

"Mother of the Redeemer, with great joy we call you blessed."
                                            -Blessed John Paul II


Today we celebrate the Nativity of our Blessed Mother.

                                                                   

                                                             The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Not My Cup of Tea

Here's a list of things I'm not fond of.

1) Football. Yes, the season is well underway. I try not to use the word "hate", so let's just say I loathe everything about it. My boys are playing and considering you can knock them down with a feather I'm afraid they'll be hurt. They made  it through the first game last Saturday injury-free. One down, seven more (each) to go.

2.)Big holes in my dining room ceiling. With all this rain we've had we noticed the area above our dining room window seemed "bouncy". Well, next thing I know Bill's taking a screw driver and ripping a hole into the ceiling. There's a leak. Not sure who to call: roofer? handyman? Looks like there's no mold, but when I saw online that there is such a thing as a Mold Inspector I wanted to put him on my speed dial.

3.) Picky Eaters. I decided to try this new recipe for spinach and cheese stuffed shells. I thought they were looking mighty tasty, so I said to Matt, "Do these look yummy or what?" and he answered, "what!".

4.) 1st grade boy kissing my 1st grade girl! Yes, it's true. Ann got her first kiss yesterday in busline from a boy in her class. She then gave him one in return. I must have looked horrified because she quickly came back with, "But Mom, it was only on the cheek!".

Slow down little girl!

Addendum: The kids just got off the bus and I've been told that big brother Thomas has told the 1st grade boy, "Don't kiss my sister ever again." Way to go Tommy!!

Purple Rain

I had planned to call this post "The Girl In The Purple Shirt".  Since starting the Couch to 5K program back in April I had pretty much worn the same purple shirt to train in. I imagined all those cars that passed me on the road heading to work at 5:30 in the morning saying, "Doesn't that girl have any other shirts?"

 Well, I can retire the shirt today. It got me to and past my first 5K. I am so glad it's over, but can't wait for the next one. The past 3 days have been nothing but worry and nausea about it. So silly, I know. It was a lot more laid back than I thought it would be.

  I did as well as I wanted to do and was close to the last one done. It didn't matter to me at all. I really just wanted to finish. That is the truth.

  My 15 minutes of fame were cut short, but for good reason. At the end of my race, Bill signed my 3 oldest up for the 1 mile kids Fun Run. Billy, Mary Kate, and Tommy each won an award for 3rd place in their age groups. Amazing!! Billy came in 5th overall. Not bad considering it was so last minute and Billy was wearing basketball sneakers!

Here are some pictures from the day:



Before the race



At the beginning...

1 mile in.....me and Mary

Matthew meeting me at the finish line

 There was a good drizzle going by the end. Hence the bad hair picture below:

Post race for all of us.




  It was a great day. Thanks to all of my family and friends who helped along the way. I can't believe all the words and acts of encouragement from you. You all know who you are. You guys rock!


Day 3: Matt and Me

 Now that the kids are back at school and it's just me and Matt at home during the day I may have to re-name this blog "Matthew's Blog".  We're having a good time together. I think he likes the undivided attention he's been getting.

 Check out this crafty project we did today. ( I'm being sarcastic....not crafty really at all and I'm sure most of you have seen this done a million times in parenting magazines )

1.) Cover pine cone with peanut butter

2.) Coat with bird seed

3.) Hang in a tree

  4.) Watch the birds NOT come. Not one bird came by for the rest of the day. How can that be? Granted, I did hurry in the store and grab the smallest and cheapest bag of bird seed I could find. And it did say "for parakeets", but does that matter? Will a robin not eat parakeet food?? I thought my kids were picky eaters! Geesh! So much for being crafty.

PS. I know some of you are questioning my grammar in the first line of my post. Trust me, the misuse of the pronoun "I" is one of my biggest pet peeves. I believe my writing in this case is correct. And I think Sister Loretta Sean from my 7th grade would agree with me.