Lots of Coffee, lots of kids. It's a peaceful life.
This weather: Wearing his sisters' (plural) shoes (mismatched) because who thought he'd still need snow boots? This kid: Take careful note of the impish grin. Observe the mischievous twinkle. This discovery: Nice of him to put the towel in FIRST. Not to worry, between the snow and the toilet bowl we're keeping … [Read more...]
Warning: This post is Lenten in theme. On Monday morning, St. Patrick's Day, I took my oldest son Joe to have a cyst removed. We were due at the surgical center at 6:00 a.m., which meant getting up before dawn and navigating an unfamiliar neighborhood in the dark. I got lost, naturally, and grew increasingly flustered. I got lost AND the “no … [Read more...]
ED. NOTE: Saving the best for last here, so please please read through to the end. So we are a good full week into the start of Lent. How is it going for you? I think I finally found a penance that's a good fit for me—the “not partaking of the drink” thing, that is. Of course, having said this, I'm sure that it will suddenly become unbearable. … [Read more...]
Or, From Here to Eternity On Friday, my family went to the ice caves. It was an all-day day trip; we got home after 10:00. We walked a mile just to get to the ice caves. This felt more like FIVE miles on the way back. On Saturday, my husband and I went on retreat. We were out the door by 8 a.m. and did not get home until 8 p.m. (We … [Read more...]
You may be thinking I'm still curled up in that mitten and that's why I haven't been updating this blog. Nope. I had to come out because of this kid. He's cute, right? Well, that's his saving grace. He's cute but very VERY demanding. We're talking fussy then happy then fussy then hold me then fussy and feed me and fussy … [Read more...]
The One Where my iPad Takes a Bath "Life in itself is not a ladder; it is a see-saw." G.K. Chesterton, The Well and the Shallows May I be completely honest? I don't have a lot of time for reading Chesterton these days, so when it comes to doing this weekend link-up, which I love, I simply take down my copy of The Apostle of … [Read more...]
{The Abbreviated Arctic Edition} Outside my window... Ridiculously cold. The kids are off school again this morning. No school last Thursday, either. At least my house is getting cleaned. {ironic snort} From the kitchen... What's with me and this cabbage craving? Seriously, I opened this big Sam's Club-sized bag yesterday and … [Read more...]
George, this morning: Are the beenanas ripe? Me, in response: Yes, the "beenanas" are ripe. Would you like one? George: Yup. George, passing by the computer as I typed this post: I didn't know you could spell “four” with letters! Me: {heart melting} Do you have a 4-year-old? Are they not awesome? I think when it comes to … [Read more...]
...is tomorrow from 3:00 to 6:30. I'll be there. Will you? This book club has been one of the best things for me this past year. The Good Earth, A Lantern in her Hand, Homer's Odyssey...these are not books that I would have picked up on my own, but I have read--and loved--the first two and The Odyssey {gulp}is next on our list. Good books get … [Read more...]
I took these photos on Monday morning. I took them because I liked the light. I took them because these kids are cute. I took them because I might one day need blackmail. Just ask my teen-aged sons about this. I took them because I'm in "survival mode" these days, but if I pause now and then to just focus on the moment...not forgetting, of … [Read more...]
