When you hear the words....

... "Jetted Tub"

You think of this:





















But when you have 5 small children, the reality is more like this:




















The further tragedy being that while your children have been obviously enjoying the soothing jets, you haven't even stepped foot in it yet!

:)

Keepin' it Real

We recognize the present
as half as pleasant
as our nostalgia for
the past that we presented
re-cast and re-invented
until it's how we meant it.

~BNL Testing 1,2,3

I'm going to do something I always vowed I wouldn't.

I'm going to blog about blogging.

I won't go into the eye-rolling that happens over here whenever I read a blogger who decides to explain to the blogging world about how they are too busy to blog or how they will be taking a break from blogging for awhile. I totally respect these bloggers, but my experience has been that as soon as someone says they are taking a break, I open up my bloglines the next day and see that they have posted 6 times.

Ok, not really 6, but usually at least 2.

And I smile.

Because it happens to me too. Although I never tell y'all what my plans are. Because, quite frankly, my plans change overnight. And the "very busy week" becomes a very quiet one when one of the children comes down with the stomach flu overnight and we remain at home watching tv instead of gallivanting around town. And this extra time at home with children otherwise occupied allows me some free time to let my brain roam. All of a sudden, *voila* I have a beautifully written post about something extremely important. Because, it all is so very important, right?

:)

And so.

I have been blogging for 3 years. And while that doesn't make me a pro, I think it does rank me as a somewhat veteran blogger, since blogging itself is still a fairly new phenomenon. Also, since some have asked me about the hows and whys, I thought I'd write up a post about it.

Because I am a blogger, after all.

I think the very hardest part about starting my blog was "finding my voice." I started out reading my sisters' blogs and Danielle Bean. (doesn't every mommy blogger start out by reading Danielle?) Each person had their own style. Each blog seemed to have their own theme. I didn't really consider starting one myself, but their excellent writing gave rise to many of my own thoughts, and since I have always loved to write, it was easy to sit down and pound away. And, quite frankly, that is the only way to find your voice in writing... keep writing. Obvious, but very true. Feel free to peruse some of my earliest archives. I guarantee they're a bit rough, but the voice is there.

My blog started out for "family only." Until, of course, my retired-newspaper-editor Father-in-law told half of Canada. It was kind of neat to think that all of these other people enjoyed reading what I wrote. A bit of an ego trip, sure, but mostly I was exhorted in my mind to be very careful about the content of my writing. I try to remain upbeat, but realistic. I try to reveal struggles delicately. Most of all, I enjoy playing with words, and finding just the right one to convey the exact meaning and tone. It's fun and challenging.

Through all of this, I continue to meet more and more like-minded mommy bloggers, and now really feel like I belong to some sort of community. And I have to say, that is where I have benefited the most. All of these women have their own voice, their own stories and experiences to share. So many times I am lifted out of a funk, or exhorted to try harder, or inspired by another's struggles just by reading what others have shared.

We all need to be encouraged and inspired. And yes, to have a chuckle here and there. Thank God for bloggers!

:)

Getting my Bearings

Even though our move did not wrench us from our very familiar north Texas town, I have found myself quite a few times driving in circles as I navigate the 'quickest' way to my destination. Our new neighborhood somewhat resembles a snail shell in that it winds in on itself, and I have found it to be a bit confusing especially when I need to go north and end up exiting the area through the southern route.

It's a good thing we didn't move out of town!

And speaking of, I really love our town. It's not a trendy one. And it's rather ugly in parts. In fact, it's increasingly becoming *not* the place to live, if you know what I mean. But that is according to 'those' people who decide what's in and what's not.... our town is in the not. Maybe that is why people turn up their noses at me when they find out where I live. Why they don't return e-mails when I reveal that 'secretive' information.

Ah well. Luckily, we won't be judged by the town we live in when we reach the pearly gates, right?

And this town has some major perks.

It's exceedingly family-friendly.
All (or most) of my friends live here.
There is a real Catholic presence.
The parks and rec department is amazing.
The area where we live is (surprisingly) safe.
Our neighbors are friendly and look out for each other.

I imagine most towns are like this, with good areas and bad. I know that we all do the best we can to keep our children and our families safe. We are not all excessively blessed when it comes to finances, and must make do. There are those better off than us, and those in much worse conditions.

And we must remember that we are not entitled to the level of comfort we enjoy. It is a blessing from God. We must use these blessings to do His will.

And most especially, practice the virtue of charity in all things.

:)

My Morning Serenade

*enter Little Boo, who comes bounding in*
Little Boo (at the unearthly hour of 8am): Mom! Little Love's teeth hurt and she wants to eat.

Me: Um.... Why don't you two play for a little bit... quietly?

Little Boo: OK! Hey, Little Love, why don't you be the doggie and I'll be the devil?


*enter Little Dear, dragging her stuffy head*
Little Dear (sniffing vehemently): I can't (sniff) breathe (sniiiiffff) through my nose! (snort)
I think I'm going to have a heart attack!


*enter Sports Fan, in an oh-so-appropriate shorts and t-shirt*
Sports Fan: Hey, let me in! I'm fre-e-e-zing!


Action Man never makes it in. He's nestled under his covers, reading.

We're morning people, can't you tell?

:)

But of course....

You Are New York

Cosmopolitan and sophisticated, you enjoy the newest in food, art, and culture. You also appreciate a good amount of grit - and very little shocks you. You're competitive, driven, and very likely to succeed. Famous people from New York: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Tupac Shakur, Woody Allen

What American City Are You?

I was born ON Long Island where all of my relatives still reside. Family reunions are akin to scenes from The Godfather, minus the violence. We moved when I was 7, and I lived out the rest of my childhood "upstate" in the boonies.

But I can still pull out that wicked accent when I want to.

:)

h/t Elaine

Nutmeg, Unplugged

And becoming unwound, it seems.

Another unscheduled break from blogging and all things virtual has taught me a few things:


1. Life goes on. Real and virtual. I was pleasantly surprised.

:)

2. Without distractions, it is possible for an entire house to be unpacked in two weeks.

3. It is also possible for 5 children to hop from stomach flu symptoms to head colds, pretty much instantaneously, as you cross over the Texas border.

4. By the way, this rocks this any day.... just trust me on this, and don't ask me to explain....

5. I am officially not addicted to anything bloggy, including our book club, apparently. Sorry for bowing out on you, Emily! Hope everyone else enjoyed it and participated.

6. Too much time on my hands translated into me re-vamping our home school approach, again; re-decorating the entire house (in my head only... waiting for the financing) and painting the formal living room; along with finding many projects for DH.

7. DH got the internet connected ASAP. Wonder why?

:)

8. Oh, and most importantly, I missed y'all!

The Box That Isn't

Unpacking is an adventure. And each one of us has her own style.

Guess what mine is.

Yep, I'm the I-hate-unpacking-where-the-h*ll-does-this-go-get-this-over-with type.

And so, my kitchen is almost entirely unpacked. The fact that it is my favorite room in the house has nothing to do with it, of course.

:)

In all of this unpacking, you realize what you don't have.

You know, THAT BOX.

The one with the toaster, the tea kettle, the ladle, our laundry baskets, and all the couch pillows.

The one with that certain set of screws for that bed, and the drill to assemble it, and oh-yeah, Action Man's Little League photos.... right.

In fact, whenever ANYTHING cannot be found, and is absolutely needed right away? I assure my DH that it must be in.... that box.

The step ladder? In that box.
The rug for our bedroom? In that box.
The hobby horses? THAT BOX.

All I know is that box must be truly gargantuan, and not so easily overlooked.

Hmmmmm.

In short, we're missing a box. And since I went out and bought a toaster today, I have high hopes of finding that box tomorrow.

:)

And.... We're Off!

Today is our last day in the snowy north.

Action Man said before bed last night: "Wow! I can't believe the time went by so quickly!"

We've been here almost a month.

And that statement he made says a lot about our hosts, my parents. Even though I am sure the kids got underfoot a few times, and the noise level exceeded an appropriate decibel more than once or twice (a day... that is) my parents never complained. My dad would always welcome a child (usually Little Boo) onto his lap no matter how trying his day at work. And my mom would willingly listen to many a story either told at lightning speed by Little Dear, or stuttered out in some unknown 3 year-old-speak by our Little Love.

They are amazing Grandparents.

Today is a day of sorting and packing. That sounds familiar, doesn't it? But this is it. The last time for awhile. Tomorrow we venture out to the wilds of the Great Family Road Trip. And after an overnight stay at some comfy hotel, we will finish out the last two hours of our journey Saturday morning and land right on the doorstep of our new home. (Prayers for an uneventful trip would be most appreciated!)

A perfect finish to a wonderful vacation.

:)

Because, as usual....

Elizabeth says it much better than I ever could.

This article is one that a dear friend of mine clipped from the Arlington Catholic Herald way back when my first 3 children were ages 3 and younger. This is what introduced me to the writings of Elizabeth Foss, and I have found such a source of strength and encouragement ever since.

I sincerely wish sometimes that I could have the same temperament, life experience, and/or amount of children that some of these wonderful women have. Elizabeth makes it sound so wonderful, although I know that her family life is amazingly normal. And that gives me comfort.

God indeed knows what He is doing.

And I am so content to let Him remain in control.

:)

Wasting My Time... (aka preaching to the choir)

The awesome Danielle Bean has quite the discussion going on over at her place, and since I totally agree with her, I just had to jump in.

See how confrontational I am?

:)

I think it will come as no surprise to any of my readers that we do not practice attachment parenting. But the truth is, we certainly tried. And by the latter years of parenting, I was able to BF my youngest, exclusively for 8 whole months... and she stayed in our bed for the first 6 months of her life!

It was such an achievement. I was glowing with joy at my accomplishment.

Now bring in some of these unbelievable commenters who would most likely berate my satisfaction with scorn and accusations of selfishness, etc...

(sigh)

Not that I need to justify it, but it was such a struggle. Add to that our Little Love's condition of acid reflux, aggravated by my nursing her in bed whilst lying down, thus necessitating a special contraption for her crib, so she slept at an angle after feedings.... etc.

You really and truly cannot have an infallible answer for everyone.

Really.

And truly.

And those "helpful comments"?

Not so helpful.

*I have a few really good friends who practice AP, and they have been absolutely wonderful and sympathetic. I am so grateful for them.

:)