Weekend Highlights

Mary Kate has been part of an after school running program.  It was for the girls in her 5th grade class.  It was every Friday over the last 13 weeks and was to culminate with the Race for Adam.  This race is an annual event in this area to raise funds for a disease called Nieman Pick Disorder, a rare genetic disorder that causes severe, progressive neurological symptoms.

This 5k race was Saturday.  Billy and I decided to run with Mary Kate.  It was a beautiful morning.  The feel of this race was a lot different than my first 5k I did in September. That one back then wasn't a fundraiser and had some serious runners in it.  This one was a run/walk and most people were there for the cause. There were lots of familiar faces, Star Wars characters, food, and fun for all.

Billy and Mary Kate did quite well, and left their mom in the dust!  I had to walk for some of it, but it was so exciting that I wasn't too hard on myself about it.  It's just given me extra incentive to start running again.

"Fireworks" after school running club

Billy at the finish.

Mary Kate at the finish.

Tommy in his glory, and a Storm Trooper.

Ann with her friend Zoe and Vader

Sunday was fun too.  I took the girls to the annual Doll Show in town.  It's been our tradition now for 5 years.  There are some serious "doll" people out there.  We aren't one of those, but we like to see the old and the new.  I let the girls pick out one cheap inexpensive thing to bring home.  I get a kick out of some of the "vintage" dolls we see.  This year I was transported back to the days of riding in my Dad's Pontiac Catalina.  He used to have the small Snap, Crackle, and Pop dolls we won inside the boxes of Rice Krispies. They were on his back dashboard for years, faded from the sun. A vendor at the doll show had Snap.  She also had Donny and Marie dolls.  Oh, how I loved them.  I've never gotten anything, but if I ever find the Bionic Woman doll I had as a kid with it's removable skin to reveal the bionics, I am SO buying it!

Later in the day I met up with the Sexy Six. We only get to see each other about 3 times a year, but it's a great little booster shot of friendship being with them.

The "Six"- Mary Alice, Rose, Peggy, Marianne, me, and Tricia

What a great weekend.  It's almost as if it was Mother's Day weekend a week early.  And yes, I did mean to say Mother's Day weekend.....because it's only right, right?

Lesson From An 8 Year Old

While driving home from a baseball game Tommy mentioned that two of his teammates were crying that they didn't win.

I asked him, "Who was crying?"

Tommy answered, "I think it's better not to tell their names."

WOW! Did my 8 year old just teach me a lesson on the evils of gossip?

Yes he did.

May Crowning/New Blog

Yesterday at Moms N Tots we celebrated with our own version of a May Procession.  Since it was raining outside, we had to do it indoors.  We handed out flowers to each of the kids and had them parade around the room.  We sang Immaculate Mary and ended with them leaving their flowers at Mary's feet  and had one of the little girls in the group crown her.

 We also read Luke 1, 26-38, a verse that all we mothers can find strength in. This is where Gabriel appears to Mary announcing she will conceive the Son of God. The verse ends with Mary's answer, "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say."

With that being said, I'd like to share with you the story of my very good friend Emily.  Emily has been a member of Moms N Tots for a few years now. She is the mother of Joseph, 5 and Luke, 2.  She and her husband Chris have been patiently waiting for a third child.  Last year they suffered two losses through miscarriage.  Last month they shared their wonderful news of another baby on the way.  The joy in Emily's eyes was so visible.  A few days after this news, Emily found out she also has Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Emily, Joseph, Luke, and Grandmom Nancy

Through these last few weeks when I think of Emily I see a modern day version of Mary saying those words, "Let it be done to me according to your word".  She loves this baby above all.  She has accepted this cross with a grace I have never seen.  She is teaching me, and I'm sure everyone she knows, a great lesson.

Please pray for Emily and her precious baby. If you'd like to read and follow her story you can find her new blog here and also on my sidebar.

Morning Run

10:30 pm: Alarm set for a 5:15 a.m. run.

5:00 am: Alarms rings, snooze button hit.

5:05am: Snooze button hit again and internal argument starts.

5:10am: Snooze button hit again. Internal argument being won by the red devil on my pillow.

5:15am: Snooze button hit again. Red devil wins. Alarm reset to 6:30am.

5:17am: Raindrops start falling on the windowsill. Decision justified.

Another Thankful Thursday

Lucky for me, this Thankful Thursday gig is pretty easy. Here we go:

1. The "delete post" option on blogger!!!

2. My brother in law Joe who turned 40 last week, his super sweet wife Ali who threw him a really fun party, and my mother in law and father in law who babysat for us!

3. A digger right at the bottom of our driveway....what more could a 3 year old boy ask for?

4. A new haircut.

5. A smile. (and toothbrushes)

6. Our elementary school's instrumental program.

7. Mary Kate's super-sweet girlfriends.

8. Accomplishing something.

BEFORE

AFTER

9. A working computer.

10.My Moms N Tots group.

Thankful Thursday

Jumping on the bandwagon with other bloggers for Thankful Thursday posts.

Here we go:

1. A parish that gives me plenty of opportunity to deepen my faith.

2. Jesus and His Divine Mercy.

3. A husband that works a long day, has a long commute, and comes home and says, "What can I do?"

4. Wonderful friendships with some really great women.

5. A new love of my blender, a smoothie recipe with spinach, and my kids actually eating it! (recipe below)

6. A washing machine that is working overtime these days and is holding steady. (I'm knocking on wood right now.)

7. A walk with an adorable 3 year old on a perfect sunny day.

8. A fenced-in back yard.

9. Afternoon cat-naps. ( sshhh, don't tell)

10. And as always....nothing heavy weighing on my mind. (knocking on wood again)

 Smoothie Recipe
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup spinach
1 banana
1 cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries)
honey (optional)

Add juice and spinach to blender and blend well.  Add banana and frozen fruit and blend together.

To quote Matthew: "Mmmm, yummy-licious"