Monday, March 31, 2014

Going for a Swim

Saturday when Jeremy got off of work, he suggested that we take a quick trip to Amarillo and get a hotel room so the boys could swim.  We had talked about doing something similar the night before but decided it wasn't the best time.  More of it was me thinking I was too tired and would be making that trip twice in the next week and a half...and, I didn't want to get everyone ready to go.  Big baby, I know.

We did end up going.  And, I'm so glad we did.  

When we were young and would have appointments in Amarillo, often we'd go down the night before (it's 2 hours away) and swim in a hotel.  I have so many fun memories from those nights.  Granted, I don't think I was three, but why not start early, ha!

So, we loaded the boys up, and bribed them a bit - we only got to go swimming if they all went to get haircuts first (maybe one of Peter's least favorite activities in the whole world).  But, we accomplished our mission, got a treat at Starbucks and headed to the hotel.  Carter told everyone he could find that he was going swimming in his "gweat bit aquawium."

It all went well.  Carter jumped in a tube, and away he went.  Peter was a little more cautious until he decided to swim without his floatie, basically sunk, and gave me a heart attack.  "Sowwy for sinkin' Momma!" was on repeat after that.  To say I need to pay more attention is an understatement.

They loved the "warm pool with bubbles" and Carter became the official bubble starter for anyone who wanted more.  That kid likes to have a job.

Afterwards, the kids had their first Chick-fil-A experience, and we grabbed some icecream at Coldstone. They all got to sleep in one room, and we swam one more time before Mass and then headed home.  They had a blast.  It was well worth the effort and is something we hope to do more of - there's nothing quite like seeing them so excited!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

WIWS: 29 Weeks

Joining with Fine Linen and Purple for What I Sore Sunday...





Dress // Jules and Jim (have had it since my first pregnancy)
Cardi // Banana Republic (old)
Belt // Madewell
Sandals // Bernardo

29 weeks and only 10 at the most left.  Seems long and then I think it's only a little over two months, and that doesn't seem long at all.  She's just growing (that's all I think I ever say) and definitely feeling heavy these days.  My stomach just feels constantly sore and it seems I'm slowly getting to that stage where sleep just isn't as comfortable, but nothing terrible.  Energy is hard to come by most days, too.  Carter asks how "his Sophie" is from time to time, and Peter still says he is "cited to hold dat little kitty cat!"  Ha!  Can't believe it's the third trimester already - we cannot wait to meet this little girl.

Hope it's been a beautiful Sunday - be sure and take a look at the other posts at FLAP!

Friday, March 28, 2014

7 Quick Takes: Music, a Shower and a Re-Do

Joining Jen again this Friday for...
7 quick takes sm1 1 Quick Take in which I do an imitation of a responsible adult

{1} We finally decided on an arrangement for the sheet music, and by the grace of God, we got them to look fairly straight!  It's Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, and adds just the right touch to the huge wall, I think.

Tigger was also making an appearance during this photo op.



{2} I have a cousin (by marriage) who should have made planning events her career.  Well, really, she's amazing at everything she does, but her events astound me!  No detail is left out, ever.  Take a look at some of the things from the shower last weekend:
Avocado Jalepeno Crostini

Bite-sized Cheeseballs

The Bride-to-be's favorite animal in a cutely decorated cookie

Fun soap favors

Beautiful flowers everywhere

And, coordinating napkins

{3} A lot of people have asked what book I was referring to in yesterday's post.  Here it is:


{4} Katie, and The Lane Above has a beautiful post here on family size.  It's worth a read!


{5} We have another little furniture re-do project underway:


This little antique mini-crib was passed on to us, and we decided to try to make something of it.  While setting up a pack-n-play if we needed it (we have two cribs, so we really don't) would be much easier, this one is cute.  So, if we actually get it finished before the baby gets here, and if we can make sure it's sturdy, it might come in handy for a nap or two while she's tiny.

{6} So, as I worriedly posted about measuring big last week, my glucose test came back as good as it could have - "excellent" according to the doctor.  So, once again, just a little unnecessary pregnancy worry over here.  Thanks for your comments and reassurance that everything was okay!

{7} And, that's all I've got.  Have a great weekend!  And, check out other lovely posts back at Jen's!





Thursday, March 27, 2014

We're Doin' Buidness - and The Business of Purgatory

Yesterday, the boys were on top of their game.  Plus, they had "lotsa work to do."  So, I went to get John Paul up from his nap and left them to their work.
He usually wakes up fairly happy and as soon as I ask, "How is my sweet baby?" he rattles off a stream of unending babble like he's just told me everything he dreamed of and what he's ready to do now.  Then he typically kisses the picture of Pope John Paul II in the hallway and the one of Mary in the living room and is ready for his juice!
I got his juice and then headed into the playroom where I heard the boys but didn't see them until this one popped up...

Balloons in hand, they were very busy sword fighting.  Then, the other one popped up for a look at what was going on outside their castle.
I was quickly told that they "couldn't look (ie, put the camera away)" because they were "doin' buidness."

This little guy didn't mind the camera though.





I bet they were behind that loveseat for thirty minutes.  Equipped with their hammers,

toolboxes,

and calibrators, the world was theirs!

And, this one was content playing with everything else.
Watching them play together, so calmly and lovingly, while I did nothing more than simply be with them, reminded me of what I'm reading.  

I'm in the middle of reading a book on Purgatory.  I'm reading it at night which might not be the best thing for me.  It scares me to death.  I know it shouldn't.  I know it's a sign of God's tremendous mercy.  However, it's coupled with his unwavering justice.  In this particular book, I'm reading the section on God's justice first and the need to atone for our sins.  The stories mentioned are mainly about the religious, be it nuns, monks or priests.  At first one might think, "Oh whew, that's not me - I'm not held to those standards."  Yet, to see the agony they experience in their purification should serve as a kick in the pants.  No, I'm not a religious.  But, I've been called to something else, with its own set of standards yet a common core...to love and serve God all the days of my life.

I look at my days, and there are times I'm "just too tired" to do much more than get by.  There are days when I "really needed someone to know about what someone else did in order that they are not burned, too" aka justification for gossip.  There are days when I'm not much of a mother, much less a wife - the two vocations I've been called to.  And, more often than not, my prayers are on-the-go or those that come of immediate necessity.  My sins are slight (or so I tell myself, so I don't go to Confession as often as I should). My fascination with material things justified by just "not wanting to spend money on things that won't last as long" (ie, my argument for buying the nicer things) never ends.  Then there's the desire to "love at a distance" those people in my life who I find hard to love - a way in which I can love them without much effort or without being hurt again.  What about the need for my own time - time writing this blog, browsing the net, exercising or keeping in touch with others at the expense of being a better mom to the little ones. Note: I'm not saying taking time for yourself in order to keep your sanity is a bad thing, but sometimes I abuse it.

Then I think of the poor, the lonely, the imprisoned - all of those we're supposed to bring Jesus to - that fits neatly into my category of giving alms to the Church in order that they do what they see fit.  I'm not in the trenches but rather sitting neatly in my home.  

Basically, the book has caused me to think.  A lot.  And while I know the idea of Purgatory isn't something everyone believes in, I do.  Wholeheartedly.  And, I want to get to a point where I'm living my life more for Christ...out of love and desire to put Him first more than out of fear of His justice.

Some people say that as a mother, raising children can be a form of working out your salvation.  Maybe so. More than that, right now, I think they are an opportunity for us to see the world as God wishes us to and to act as if we are seeing it that way for the very first time, over and over again.  They aren't worried about what tag their clothes bear or who wronged them this morning.  They are hurt and quickly forgive.  They love and just want to be loved in return.  They are excited, even more than just about a new toy, but about each of life's moments.  They radiate joy (most days), and not much matters.

Looking at them, as a mom, is a tiny glimpse of how our Father must see us.  He doesn't want us to hurt.  He wants us to follow the rules.  He loves us so much its incomprehensible.  Yet, the rules are there for our good, and when broken, the consequences come...all in the name of mercy.  

We have but a small amount of time when they're still little.  They have so much to teach us from behind those loveseats as they're doin' buidness.  If only we take the moments to learn.  So, as I continue on with this book, my prayer is that my outlook on life becomes more like theirs and that love takes a much deeper rooted place in my heart.  That I can see those heads popping up from behind their "castles" and be reminded of my vocation...to love and serve Him (as a wife and mother) in every way throughout my days, and to teach them to do the same. Nothing more, but definitely nothing less.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Five Favorites: Protein, a Lens and a Beautiful Post

Joining in with Hallie and everyone else at Moxie Wife today for...

Five Favorites, hosted at MoxieWife.com


These little protein bars taste more like a no-bake cookie.  They don't leave that funny too-much-protein feeling nor do they taste chalky.  They're a great little afternoon pick-me-up!

My sweet cousin got me this set for my birthday a few months ago, and I really love these creams.  They are basically a tinted sunscreen with a bit more coverage, and they go on very smoothly!

Starbucks® Cold Cup, 24 fl oz

I haven't filled this giant cup up with iced coffee yet, but I wouldn't put it past me.  So far it's just a way to make sure I get enough water each day.  Anyone else find it much easier to drink more when you're drinking it through a straw?  Bizarre?  Maybe so, but it works for me!

A friend of mine let me borrow this for a few months.  What a friend, huh!!  I love it!  I'm not great with figuring out how to get the most out of different kinds of lenses, but this one allows for more light in my house that often doesn't have enough.  It takes me awhile to get used to not having a zoom, but I do love this lens. I'm anxious to learn a little more about what all it can do and just play with it.

{5} Jenny's post Let's Be Done from yesterday is about as beautiful as they come and one of my all-time favorites!

Have a great day and don't forget to check out the other links at Moxie Wife today!!