A New Springtime

Irene and Our Tree

We fared quite well in the storm yesterday but we did get a bit of a surprise. I thought the storm was over but the wind started to pick up at about 8 p.m.  I had been joking about what I thought was nothing but I spoke too soon.

 
 At around 10 p.m. we heard a big crack and this is what we saw.  One of the large branches on our beautiful maple tree had split right off.

 

 It landed right on top of the kids tree fort and demolished it. I'm just glad it didn't land on the house or it could have been a disaster.

 
DH is getting his chainsaw all geared up and the kids have been picking up the branches this afternoon.

 
I will not be making silly comments if we have another storm. I keep having to learn the lesson of keeping my big mouth shut.

 

 

 

Under the Sea

Lil' Malcolm is starting to make the cutest noises, he is cooing and starting to smile. It is such a joy to see and hear him communicate with us. Eliana has been showing him how to use his ocean themed play gym.

 
She likes showing him the different toys that dangle from the canopy.

 
He is totally amazed by her and seems to enjoy all of the attention and companionship.

 
He moves his arms with excitement as he listens to the sounds and watches the blinking lights. She never seems to tire from pressing the buttons or saying, " You so cute Malcie."

 
I don't know if we are going to the beach this year but these lil'ones have their own bright and colorful underwater world right here at home.

 
I love watching these precious lil' ones interact and share the love they have with each other. I just want to soak it all in before they grow up. My heart feels so full and it wants to burst when I see the way they bond together!

Creative Play, Summer with Seven

The kids have been enjoying themselves these past couple of weeks off. I have been working on the end of the year portfolios and they have been enjoying themselves in their creative play!

 

We got a play gym and a Bumbo for baby Malcolm, the girls worked hard putting the gym together whileEliana worked hard at occupying the Bumbo.

 
I always seem to be blessed with finding quality creative toys at GW for such ridiculiously low prices.  I picked up this This cute lil' train for$2 a couple of months ago it's wooden and each car has a different activity on it.

 
The girls were given these play jewels and Abba Do was having a great time with them.

 
She has been playing with them every chance she gets.

 
She is very serious about being a princess and is very refined when she wears her jewels unlike her sister...

 

who dresses to impress.

 
We have Princess Humility and Princess Ham and I bet you know who is who!

 
All of these wonderful rattles and gizmos are for Baby Malcolm but we have all been testing them out. I happened to find them on myThursday thrift store outing along with these other creative play things:

 
I was thrilled to get these lacing cards for a mere $1.75, the girls and even the boys have picked them up a few times. My mother has been bringing her embroidery over and Eliana thinks she is sewing just like grandma.

 
Abbey got this paint by number kit at GW for $1; the paints had never been opened. It was her reward for helping out at the grocery store. We always stop at GW on our weekly grocery shopping day because it is right next door.

 
Of course reading is always on our list of creativity. I like interactive ones like this where the kids have to find certain things on each page. We have all been taking turns reading this one to Eliana.

 

 Here are my two youngest enjoying the basket of treasures. What a good lil'sister she is entertaining herself and her baby brother.  I have a feeling these two are going to be inseparable. She loves her Malcolm Marvin, that is what she calls him.
 

The older boys don't need too much to keep them happy. A basketball, a water bottle and some pedal power and they are off to the local basketball courts where teenager usually meets them after work.

 
As for me lately, I  just enjoy watching all of the activity and drama that goes on around me and because I am nursing I have been trying to drink more water.

 

 Creative play keeps the kids busy and they aren't usually bored around here. They know I like to see them being constructive, It makes Mommy happy !!

 

It's A Pleasure

 
Today is my son Joseph's 18th birthday and is a pleasure to be his mom! He is an exceptional athlete but more than that he is a wonderful person who has helped me over the years.

 
He has assisted with all of the children from infancy on up and rarely complained of doing the many jobs I have given to him.

 
He can definetly be a clown, he dishes out a lot of teasing but he can also handle being razzed as well. so I know he won't mindme sharing this picture (lol).

 
He has grown into a fine young man and I want to wish him a blessed and happy birthday!!

Happy Birthday Joe Joe!

Housewife or Not, That Is the Question

Being a stay at home mom in the year 2011 is a contradiction to the world and looked upon as failure.  Having a career and bringing home a paycheck is the norm these days and I can see why.  Many women are made to feel they are of less value or lazy if they stay home. Over the years I have felt ashamed of myself for not contributing monetarily to my family so I usually always try to keep my home as tidy as possible and keep up with my duties. In the summer I do not home school so I am able to do other things I don't normally get to. The first day off I decided to deep clean the kids rooms starting with the boys.

 

We have really cut down on the toys in theirroom. They mostly have legos, cars and play station games now.

 
The girl's still have quite a bit of toys considering there are three of them and they are still young. I was able to fill up a bag for Goodwill and one for the victims of the tornado with some stuff.

 
Under the bed are some bins with dress up clothes, toys, and the winter clothes. I helped the girls clean out their drawers and behind the beds so the room was nice and refreshed.

 
We were even able to de-clutter the bookcase by separating activity books from reading books. We filled a bin with the activity ones for summer use when the kids get "bored". I plan on going to the library and we will join the summer reading program.

 
In between helping the kiddos I usually sit down on the computer to nurse baby Malcolm, this gives me a brake and the kiddos can have some fun  time in between chores. I gave my space a good dusting and swept the wood floors.

 
I was going to use this table for my sewing machine but it isn't sturdy enough so I'm using it for a folding clothes table.

 

I have been trying to keep dust collectors to a minimum and I would rather look at pictures of the kids anyway.

  I don't know if keeping a house clean and tidy is considered work these days or if nursing a baby has any value but I was pretty tired when I got done. The girls had gone to grandma's and teenager went out to a baseball game so I decided to skimp on supper I talked it over with DH on the phone and he had a left over burger  he could eat and the kids and I would have hot dogs. My thirteen year old graciously agreed to make me one while I nursed baby Malcolm and looked up some curriculum for next year. I don't usually sit on my butt unless it is to nurse baby boy, I haven't figured out how to walk around, clean and nurse all at once yet (lol). I got a lot  done on the first day of summer vacation and I was pretty pleased with the days outcome.

 

 

 

Even The Sea and the Wind Obey Him

The other day we had several tornado watches in our area, the kids and I were at home and we got a warning call from DH and a caring neighbor. We watched the weather reports on our local tv channel but more importantly we prayed a prayer against storms. We made the sign ofthe cross (t) after each sentence in the prayer below. I was at peace putting all I had in the hands of God. The tornado did not hit our town but there was much devastation a few towns and city east of us, about 15 minutes away. We are praying for all of those affected.

 Later, in the evening, as the sun was setting we had another bout of bad weather.

 

The sunset was beautiful but the clouds looked feirce.

 
DH , I and the kids were watching the clouds and it began to get darker and darker...

 

and even darker.

  

The clouds were swirling around each other looking so unsettled and upset. I was glad when the storm finally passed by.

Prayer Against Storms

Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace. +
God became man, + and the Word was made flesh. +
Christ was born of a Virgin.+
Christ suffered.+
Christ was crucified.+
Christ died.+
Christ rose from the dead.+
Christ ascended into Heaven. +
Christ conquers. +
Christ reigns. +
Christ orders. +

May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning.+
Christ went through their midst in Peace, +
and the Word was made flesh. +
Christ is with us with Mary. +
Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the
Generation of Juda, the Root of David, has won. +

Holy God! + Holy Powerful God! + Holy Immortal God! +
Have mercy on us.

Amen.

 

The Wind Within My Sail

 I have been blessed at times to be able to sit back and see my children making some wonderful memories and enjoying life together. It's not always a bed of roses but when it is I am surely thankful and enjoy it. It puts the wind in my sail to see them having a good old time.

The ocean is one of the places I treasure, it allows for such endless hours of fun and entertainment.  I am sure many people can relate. The smells, the scenery, the sounds are all fantastic.

 My mom spent her summer's at a cottage in Blackpoint, CT that was built by her two grandfathers. She has so many fond memories of the ocean and wants her grandchildren to be able to share in that experience.

The kiddos loved riding the waves on their boogie boards. They only came out of the water for a quick bite to eat then back in for some more.

 

Baby Eliana would have nothing to do with the water but she sure liked digging in the sand.

DH even got in the water! He was the most fashionable  guy on the beach.  He doesn't like the sand at all but once told me he does the beach thing just for me. 

We spent two glorious days at theMisquamicut, Rhode Island Beach soaking up the sun and playing in the sand and water, making some good memories.

 
Hopefully, the children will remember these times and want to do some of the same when they have families of their own.

I thank God that I get to be a part of such special moments with my family. 

 
I am grateful to God that we have these times to share together.

Allowing me to see my children enjoy His wonderful ocean and all of its attributes puts the wind in my sail!

I hope you all are getting some time during the rest of the summer for lifetime memory making, too. May the peace of Jesus Christ be yours now and always!

 
  

 
 
 
  
 

Quiche Discontentment

 A couple of weeks ago at Mass, I actually said a prayer that went like this, " God please help me be a better cook for my family." I always feel adequate in the decor and the house cleaning department but sometimes I do not enjoy the cooking part of my vocation.

 
  I like to be creative in the kitchen and use cookbooks but this does not go over well with DH or the family. They would rather stick to the old standards, spaghetti, tacos, hamburgers and hot dogs. They like the plain and simple stuff.

  I decided to try and make a quiche from a thrifted cookbook. Max and I had a blast preparing the ingredients. Of course, boys love to chop and cut so that was his job.

Fresh dill from the store, lemon balm and parsley form our garden were added to the pie crust for what I would call an herbal medley that would delight anyones palette. So I thought.

I was so excited the way it was finished; I forgot to take a picture when it first came out of the oven.

 
Fried chicken and from the garden: broccoli, squash, and zucchini in the quiche. I truly enjoyed making this dish...but guess what my mother and I were the only ones who thought it was a hit.

 The kiddos wrinkled their cute lil' noses and started to complain immediately," Can't we just have raw carrots instead." I don't like eggs, I can't eat cheese, etc." I almost began to get frustrated and then realized if they didn't eat it there would be some for me for lunch for the rest of the week. I also still had hope that hubby was going to like it, after all. I had impressed him with my quiche when we first met.

 As DH sat down to eat my fantasy was shattered, He started to pick at the veggies and I knew I would get no satisfaction from his evaluation of my "creative" dinner dish. " It is good, too many veggies.", he said. 

 I was about to pout and give him a lecture but I had been doing that a lot the past week and I was kinda all tuckered out. I did manage to tell him how much work went into making it though. The next day he called me from work and told me he was having, guess what? You got it, quiche for lunch. What a guy!

I can be so spoiled and and wanting things to go my way. I prayed to be a better cook for my family, thinking the meals I cook have to be all fancy and time consuming. God showed me something else; they are content with the easy, boring, everyday meals I know how to make. That is pure love  isn't it. Alleluia!

If I want to make something fancy, I will make it for myself or experiment on a group of girlfriends who have probably experienced the same kind of creative dinner trauma as I have and will understand herbal infused pie crust. LOL

 

 

 

Peace to His People on Earth

 I find that if I stay in the house long enough I start to get a get a bit depressed. There are so many tasks that need my attention though that sometimes I find it difficult to take the time to go outdoors.

( Our beautiful Hydrangea)

I have read many articles that have emphasized a need to be outside for at least one hour a day and I know why it is needed. God has given us so much beauty in His creation that when we gaze upon it it brings peace to our souls.

 
(a garden zinnia)

 Nature is a nuture for our spirits and connects us who are here on this earth with God. He wants us to experience him here on this Earth!

(another zinnia)

Seeing the intricate details and brilliant colors of each flower never fails to bring a smile to my face and starts my on the path of imaginative thinking.

The textures and shapes of the garden veggies and the way they grow into these magnificiant sculptures are  fine art masterpieces.

Black- Eyed Susan's imitaite the sun's rays and have a glow all of their own.

 
( Angel's Trumpet) 

This trumpet point's staight to Heaven blasting a silent song for all to hear.

 
 This spiral shape of the opening trumpet allowed me to see God's glory, it is so awesome and I would have missed it if I hadn't gotten outside amongst His lovely creation. It took my breath away.

I was able to gather the fruits of our garden and bring a bit of this wonderful nature indoors. It was so worth it to spend a few moments away from chores and electronics. I had so much of His peace when I was through, it made for a much better evening.

 ]

He knows exactly what we need and He brings peace to His people on Earth.
 
 
  

Playing Dress up, Mommy Style

 Last week while at GW, I decided to pick up a few new wardrobe items. I don't really need any decor right now and of course I always pick up a book or two but I rarely concentrate on the clothing. 

 I have a lot of jeans and bum around clothes but lately, I've been wanting to be a bit more dressy.   Since it is still summer and hot summer, I decided to let that be my influece. We are also going to the beach again so here is what I ended up getting:

    

 These pants reminded me of the sea with  the blues, aquas and greens.

Swirling, flowing designs that flow like the ocean.

Silky ribbon and sheer, wavy and airy fabric give a touch of sparkle like sunshine on the water and the a sense of the seaside breeze.
 
The embroidery on the shirt looks like tiny diatoms or starfish.

 Clothing can stir up your imagination and bring a certian sense of peace depending on the designs and fabrics chosen.  When I went to shop that day, I had memories of the beach in my mind and wanted to carry that over into my clothing. This allowed me to focus in on a particular feel and look and helped me to limit and refine my purchase choices.

 This was actually my first find. I rarely look at clothes and say, " Gotta have it." but this was so unique. It hangs to a slant and the soft blue cotton yarn is cozy for those late cool summer evenings. It is a Liz Claiborne design $3.

These Land's End pants are so comfortable and are that wonderful powdery blue , also. $4.

 This was the second outfit. I haven't worn skirts in a while and felt like I needed a bit of a change. Sticking with the summer theme these two items reflect the warm summer sun and the softness of the sand.

The print looks like little sandollars it was perfect for the way I was feeling. It was light, airy and gentle.

A total cost of $16 and I feel great wearing my new summer style dress up clothes. Hey, why should the kids have all of the fun. Mommy's need to play dress up,too!