My Daybook - November 16, 2009

For Today... Monday, November 16, 2009

Outside my window... it is dark. I haven't been outside all day, but the National Weather Service is telling me it's fair and forty degrees right now. November has been beautiful here in Minnesota, especially when compared to the cold and snow we had in October.

I am thinking... I can't believe I haven't posted anything on this blog for two weeks! It has been even crazier around here than usual. It was really just a week of craziness, but then a week to recover from it all!

I am thankful for... a completed menu for the week (haven't had one for the last two weeks) and a fridge full of groceries (haven't had that for two weeks either)!

From the school room... a new quarter has begun. The Girls are enjoying Pippi Longstocking. The Boy is really into writing things himself -- not just numbers and letters, but addition problems and words he's sounded out himself!


From the kitchen... we had leftovers tonight, but not just any leftovers -- Friday night we had our friend Bishop-elect Sirba and another priest friend over for dinner. I enjoy cooking multiple-course Italian meals and drawing the meal out Italian-style over the course of an evening. We had spinach and gruyere stuffed mushrooms and "cheese bubblies" (swiss cheese, green onion, mayo, and garlic salt on garlic rounds, broiled) for appetizers. The first plate was tortellini in brodo, followed by a second plate of saltimbocca, roasted rosemary potatoes, and green beans with onion and tomato. We went to an apple orchard on Monday, so I made homemade apple dumplings with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. Yummy!

I am wearing... jeans, a pink long-sleeve shirt, and slipper crocs.

I am creating ... my Jesse tree ornaments.

I am going... to purchase a new Advent wreath this year -- I'm tired of hunting for unscented purple and pink pillar candles every year and tapers burn too fast and are too dangerous at the dining room table. I am also going to find some new prayers for our evening candle lighting -- any suggestions?

I am reading... The Examen Prayer, by Father Timothy Gallagher. I highly recommend it.

I am hoping... to be in bed and nearly asleep by 9:30 tonight, so I can get up on time tomorrow. The days go so much better when I'm up on time and have some quiet prayer before the kiddos wake up.

I am hearing... my hubby upstairs tucking the kids into bed. I also hear The Baby fussing a little -- teeth, round two -- her poor upper gums are all puffy and red!

Although she's smiling in the above-picture, the below shows how she's been feeling most of the day.


Around the house... the refrigerator and the kitchen garbage need a good scrubbing! The microwave did too, but thanks to my mother-in-law, who cleaned it for me last time she babysat, it makes me smile every time I heat up my coffee.

One of my favorite things... these jammies.


A few plans for the rest of the week: The Older Girl danced tonight, and she's dancing tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday, too -- Oireachtas is coming up over Thanksgiving weekend. Friday I'm hoping to put my parents' Christmas lights on their house (they're in Hawaii ... sigh). Friday night we're having dinner with friends. Sunday we're celebrating Thanksgiving with my husband's family, as we will be leaving for Columbus, Ohio on Thanksgiving Day.

Here is a picture-thought I am sharing:

Me and My Siblings --
I don't think we've had a picture of just the four of us
since the youngest graduated from high school in 2003!

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My Daybook - All Souls Day 2009

For Today... Monday, November 2, 2009, All Souls Day

Outside my window... it is dark and chilly. I am really looking forward to the biannual adjustment to the time change -- such a joy with children, especially babies!

I am thinking... about the connection between joy and gratitude and trying to be more grateful for the everyday blessings in my life. There are so many. Our God is so good!

I am thankful for... the pre-weekend getaway with my husband. I am grateful for our marriage and the blessing of our love and the growth we have experienced in our first ten years together. I am grateful for my in-laws, who stayed at our house and watched the three older kids. My DH planned the nicest surprise (and, for once, I didn't figure it out!). We went to Red Wing to celebrate, and stayed one night at the historic Saint James Hotel (and another at an AmericInn). Our package at the Saint James included dinner, drinks, breakfast, and a bottle of champagne. The room was lovely and had a huge jacuzzi tub.

at dinner

The Baby on the windowsill at the bar

and enjoying the fire

The weather didn't cooperate with our hiking and picnicking plans, but we enjoyed walking through some antique shops and pottery places. We ate some wonderful meals (that neither of us had to cook!) and did a little Christmas shopping for the kids (without having planned on it -- it's always nice to find a good gift when you're not looking for it). We lounged around the hotel rooms and reveled in being a little lazy for a change. It was nice just to really enjoy one another's company.

I am also grateful for the evening we spent with my uncle and aunt, who live in Red Wing. We don't get to spend much time with them and really enjoyed the warmth of their home and the good food (and the fact that we could put The Baby to bed, which we couldn't do at a restaurant). Thanks again, Jim and Diane!


From the school room... It's the final week of the quarter. We'll be finishing up some projects and taking exams.

From the kitchen... soft tacos for dinner. And I still have those darn pumpkin seeds in the refrigerator.

I am wearing... my jammies still -- flannel polka dotted pants and a T-shirt -- and my robe and slippers -- it's still early.

I am creating ... a home. We finally decided to hang a few things on the walls of this rental house to make it feel more homey. Yesterday, in honor of All Saints Day, we hung our saints (from St. Andrew's Abbey) in the stairwell.

We also hung our crucifix -- a dear friend of the family, who recently passed away, carved it for me when I was in college and I brought it to Rome and had it blessed by John Paul the Great of happy memory.


And, finally, we hung this picture in the dining room. It was a Christmas gift from my Gramma -- she has one, as do my mom and some aunts.


I am going... to unpack from the weekend of fun -- after returning from our getaway Saturday morning, we spent the evening at my dad and mom's at their annual Halloween party. They set a new record for the number of trick-or-treaters that visited their house -- 950!

Laura Ingalls the Older

Laura Ingalls the Younger

My Cowboy

My Posse with Three of My Cousins

Baby Pumpkin By Day (Can you see my two new toothers?)

Baby Elephant By Night

Sunday we attended an All Saints Day Party at our parish and then watched the Vikings win (again!) at my in-laws.

Saint Joseph the Worker, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, and Saint Christina

I am reading... Pippi Longstocking still, and looking through catalogs for Christmas ideas. I am hoping to start family geocaching and am looking for a good GPS for this purpose -- any suggestions?

I am hoping... that November doesn't fly by as quickly as it looks like it will. Every weekend is booked already with a wedding, company for dinner, an early Thanksgiving, and a trip to Columbus!

I am hearing... nothing but my fingers on the keyboard -- everyone is still asleep.

Around the house... it's time to put the Halloween decorations away, but I will leave the pumpkins and leaves and other fall-ish things for a few more weeks.

One of my favorite things... being spoiled. Thanks, Mom (and Dad), for the great birthday gift!

(the first five Harry Potter movies, Bath and Body works shower gel, anti-bacterial soap, and body cream in Coconut Lime Verbena and Cucumber Melon, eight single serving bottles of red wine, three items from my kitchen gadget wish list: an egg slicer (slices three different ways), a garlic press (six cloves at a time), and a pastry blender, plus a very nice card in this beautifully decorated basket)

A few plans for the rest of the week: In addition to the regular schedule of dance and music lessons, Little Flowers club and errands, my brother and his wife will be coming into town from San Diego on Thursday. My parents and all four siblings and families are gathering at my sister's for dinner Thursday night. Friday we will all drive down to the Quad Cities for a family wedding. Sunday there is a party at my parents after we return. Monday we'll have a nice dinner out. They'll fly back to California on Tuesday. It should be a whirlwind of a week.

I think I've shared enough picture-thoughts this week, but this one's for you Father B.!


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Tagged

I was tagged by Christine.

Six names you go by:
Mom
Mommy
Mama
Sweetie
Michelle (pronounced Me-shell, like the Beatles song)
Meesh

Three things you are wearing:
jeans
a pink sweater
new socks (yeah!)

Three things you want very badly right now:
eight hours of sleep in a row
a long bath with lots of bubbles in a clean tub
the end of graduate school life and a job for my DH

Three things you did last night/yesterday:
went to visit my sister and her husband and their new baby in the hospital
went out to dinner with my parents
spent some quality time with my hubby

Two things you ate today:
a huge almond poppy seed muffin (only $1 at the local coffee shop on Wednesdays!)
a hazelnut latte

Two people you last talked to on the phone:
my mom
my DH

Two things you are going to do tomorrow:
leave the three older kids with Grandpa and Grandma to go away with my DH for two nights to celebrate our ten-year anniversary
and then? I don't know -- he's keeping it a surprise

Your three favorite beverages:
coffee
wine
Is there anything else?

Everyone I read regularly has already been tagged! So I guess this meme stops here. Have a good one!

Michael William

I just got home from the hospital. I have a new nephew!

Michael William was born this morning. Mommy and Baby are doing well.


Today was my Mom's birthday, too. Since I rode with my parents to see the new babe, I got to crash her birthday dinner at the Outback. Happy Birthday, Mom! Thanks for a lovely piece of cow!

My Daybook - October 26, 2009

For Today... Monday, October 26, 2009

Outside my window... it is a beautiful fall day -- cool, but the sun is shining, and there is still plenty of color on the trees that still have leaves.

I am thinking... about my sister, who is expecting her third child. If he doesn't come on his own today, she will be induced tomorrow morning. Prayers for Mommy and Baby, please.

I am thankful for... a new camera! I know, it wasn't in the budget, but ... camera $250.00, pictures of the kids ... priceless!

From the school room... This week is largely a catch-up and review week. Next week is the final week of our first quarter (already!).

From the kitchen... We carved our pumpkins last night and I have a slew of seeds for roasting. I haven't been particularly impressed with any recipe I've tried -- anyone have a good one they'd like to share?

I am wearing... jeans, an orange long-sleeve tee, and my tennis shoes (hey! that's what I was wearing last Monday!).

I am creating ... autumn-ness around the house. The bins of autumn/Halloween stuff have been in the dining room for a week -- it's time to put some of it out already!

I am going... to take the three older kids to dance and tin whistle lessons, drop some books off at the library, deposit some checks at the bank, and maybe stop at Target for toilet cleaner and dishwasher detergent. Fun, fun!

I am reading... Pippi Longstocking -- The Girls finished their first quarter book (The Courage of Sarah Noble) and it's time to get ready for the next set of lessons. I still love Total Language Plus.

I am hoping... that since everybody is feeling better this week, the colds and flus stay away for a while!

I am hearing... somebody thumping around upstairs who is supposed to be sitting quietly on his or her bed, reading.

Around the house... recovering from the weekend again, plus the fall decoration bins half emptied -- no, Sarah, you are not the only one! I think it's the lack of routine that causes the weekend house shambles.

One of my favorite things... this anniversary gift from my Gramma.

I called her on the way home from Chicago a few weeks ago because I had a flashback to when I was little. I used to go camping with Papa and Gramma and sit in the back of their brown pick-up truck (they had seats that folded down to face each other right behind the driver and passenger seats). My Papa died when I was only eight, so I had to have been younger than that, but I remember this coffee thermos bungee-corded up in the front of the truck. I called her to tell her about my memory. She gave it to me as an anniversary gift because she still had it! I look forward to trying it out this weekend (see below).

A few plans for the rest of the week: Little Flowers tomorrow, dance on Wednesday; Thursday morning my DH and I (and The Baby) are leaving for two nights to celebrate our ten-year anniversary, which was the sixteenth. I don't know where we're going, but it doesn't matter as I am just excited for some extended time away together (even if Baby has to tag along)!

Here are some picture-thoughts I am sharing...

carving pumpkins

The Boy and his Pumpkin

the finished products!

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Happy Birthday to Me

Yes, today's the day. Thirty-four years.

The Baby kept me awake for the first four hours of my birthday, but then, mercifully, let me sleep for a few hours this morning. She is sleeping again now. We are praying for health to return to our home soon. I can't keep going with nights like these and stay sane much longer.

My DH made Eggs Benedict (and lots of coffee) for breakfast. Yummy! The Boy spent his free time yesterday making me a card and he put it in an envelope with some pennies. He also put one of his stuffed animals and a paper cross he made in a box, and a prayer card in a little gift bag. So sweet. The Girls got up early this morning to work on cards. Yesterday they made a fall bouquet and kept it out in the garage until this morning. (Darn, that camera!)

My DH had a great surprise for me. For the last ten years I've been lamenting the fact that I have no video record of the twenty years I spent dancing. I grew up doing jazz, tap, and ballet, started competing when I was nine, and continued with danceline in college. I have some photographs and old costumes and shoes, but nothing else to show my girls, who are now dancers themselves. My hubby contacted my old dance teacher, knowing I was on the same competition team as her daughter, borrowed the VHS tapes of our old recitals, and transferred them to DVD. I've had a blast watching some of them this morning. What a thoughtful gift! Priceless.

Tonight my DH will come home early to grill steaks before I have to take the girls to dance. We will have baked potatoes, tossed salad, and broiled asparagus as sides, and Door County Apple Crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert (I'm not a huge cake fan). Then I will have my holy hour and meet a friend for an hour before starting the evening routine with The Baby (I hope not, but we'll see -- she's still pretty miserable).

Have a good October 21st. I know I am.

Proud Mommy Moment

Well, this doesn't happen all the time, but it certainly was a great blessing today!

I was up all night with a sick and pretty pathetic Baby. I spent time in the bathroom breathing steamy air and in the rocking chair and on the couch (with my arm falling asleep, but too afraid to move because I didn't want to wake her). By the time everyone else was getting up at 6:30 this morning I thought I was going to cry I was so tired. I put The Baby in her swing and my Dear Hubby sent me off to bed. He brought her to me to nurse at 7:30 as he was leaving for the day and she slept until 10:00. And, guess what? So did I! When I came downstairs, The Girls had walked to Mass and The Boy was playing a math game on the computer! The Girls had finished their language arts for the week, made breakfast (and cleaned up!), read from the reading basket, practiced their tin whistles, and read their religion lesson to The Boy and all three had worked on their coloring sheet for the day! And The Boy hadn't gotten into any big trouble!

Thank you, dear children, for letting Mommy sleep!