My Daybook~ Life

For Today...February 28, 2010

Outside my window...it's cool and wonderful. It was such a glorious day. The kids played outside all weekend. They were running around with the dog, rolling in the grass, and just being kids. I loved it. Tomorrow there is a 70% chance of rain. UGH.

I am listening to...workout music. Maybe I'll be inspired tomorrow.

I am wearing...black pants and my favorite shirt, it's army green.

I am thankful for...the chance to attend confession. As usual, it was just what I needed. Confession is probably one of the most misunderstood things about Catholicism, and it's such a shame. It is truly beautiful.

I am pondering...the letter in our bulletin about feelings and God. Life isn't all about feelings and neither should our relationship with God be. It was a good reminder because it's easy to fall into the trap of not "feeling God".

I am watching...a lot of movies. Only one week left. Lance's parents are here this weekend, which takes away prime movie time. Maybe they want to babysit while we watch movies? Probably not. I am watching Hurt Locker tonight, Invictus tomorrow, District 9 on Wednesday, then we still have to watch A Single Man and Avatar in the theater. That's quite a bit, but I think we can get it done.

I am praying for...calm and peace of heart. It's hard to not let things spiral out of control.

I am thinking...that I hate when people hurt my children's feelings. Squirt used to get picked on at school, and it breaks my heart when I hear him talking to Goose about bullies and how to handle them. He doesn't want anyone messing with his brothers.

I am creating...plans to celebrate Dr. Seuss. His birthday is this week, and we have lots of fun stuff planned with several of his books, including making Green Eggs and Ham! I worked really hard on these plans, so hopefully, we'll have fun!

From the kitchen...I have the menu planned for two days so far. I am pleased to say that I stuck with my menu last week. We tried five new recipes, three of which are keepers! We are making a goal of eating out only once a week, so I have to be really vigilant with the menu planning.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty...We say goodbye to February, and I'm ready to move on. There was so much fun stuff to learn about that I felt really rushed. I am changing out the book baskets tonight while the kids are sleeping. Goodbye, Holy Twins. There are new Saint books, new Dr. Seuss books, and some old favorites.

To live the liturgy...I am pleased with how Lent is proceeding so far. Hopefully, we'll continue to grow on this journey.

I am wishing...that me or Lance liked yard work. I saw all these people buying plants and asked Lance if were making any changes to the yard and he said no. We've had this same conversation for the past several years. We just don't like yard work.

Around the house...I took the plants outside this afternoon. I love the cold weather, but I am hoping that the temperatures don't go below freezing again. I am so over moving plants back and forth.

On keeping home...I need to get to my Lenten cleaning list. Period.

One of my favorite things...Kobra and his new found love of books. He is constantly bringing me books to read to him. In fact, he is quite demanding about it. I LOVE it!

A few plans for the rest of the week...

• Super Saints
• movie watching
• soccer, t-ball, and swimming
• Lance's parents

A picture thought I am sharing...

These are so my kids.

The Big Bust

Yesterday was the day, Baby Hulk's first soccer game. So far, he hasn't been all that enthused about soccer because it has been super cold during his practices. Yesterday wasn't too cold in the morning, so I wasn't worried about the weather affecting him. He had been dribbling and kicking the ball really well at home, so I knew he would play well.

All I can say is what a freaking waste. This kid owes me seventy bucks for the entry fee. And I am not kidding. He wouldn't even go on the field, much less kick the ball. It's hard not to be one of those parents that stands on the sidelines screaming at their kids. Especially since this is three year old soccer, but it is so damn frustrating to have a pouty kid that won't go on the field or once on the field just stands there. I have no desire to get up on a Saturday morning and get all the kids out of the house and to the soccer field just so Baby Hulk can act like a brat. And that is exactly how he acted.

Some may say it's my fault for putting a three year old in soccer. Goose did t-ball at three and was fine. Since the little ones don't go to day care during the week, I want them to have some outlet to see other kids besides play dates. Guess this plan backfired. Baby Hulk has ruined spring sports for Kobra when he is three. Thanks, kid.

Little man has one more chance, he either gets it right next week or we're done for two years. Such high hopes smashed within a matter of minutes.

Wordless Wednesday

My Daybook~ More Wintery Days

For Today...February 22, 2010

Outside my window...It's dark and the temperature is falling. The weather is crazy. The weather was so nice this weekend and now the cold and rain are coming back. I don't mind the cold; we all know that it will be hot as heck really soon. I just wish things were consistent. Every day Baby Hulk asks if the groundhog saw his shadow.

I am listening to...fun, silly music.

I am wearing...a longhorn t-shirt and Snoopy boxers. Two of my favorite things in the world!

I am wondering...why I thought signing up the Baby Hulk for soccer was a good idea. First, it's freaking cold during practice and our coach stays until 6:30 pm. Others coaches let their teams go early. And second, he is three! He runs around and then gets bored and runs off to kick the ball himself.

I am thankful for...my amazing husband who helped me with some crafting this weekend. I am so not crafty at all and he is so helpful despite the fact that there are millions of other things he would rather be doing. And when I tell him I don't like how the project is progressing, he still helps instead of telling me to stick it.

From the kitchen...a great menu for the entire week. I just realized that we are trying five new recipes this week. Wow. Tonight's meal was pretty good too. I think I need to make some cookies though. I have a massive sweet tooth right now!

Around the house...I took Lance to Costco to check out the bunk beds I wanted for the boys and they were gone. I guess I need to start searching online for them. I just hate to buy furniture online, esp furniture Lance hasn't seen in person. UGH.

On keeping home...I had this big plan for Lenten cleaning and wanted to start on Friday night. Lance had other plans. I love that he doesn't let me boss him around, but really, I want to start our Lenten cleaning and I need his help.

How sweet...Squirt spent the night out over the weekend and when he returned, the first thing he asked was if the kids did anything cute. Can you imagine a fourteen year old asking something like that? He's sweet like that. But he's also a teenager. :)

I am praying for...Chelsea to get better. Take care of yourself, be healthy! :)!!!

To live the liturgy...Lent has started, and everyone in the family seems very aware of this season. The readers check out the calendar daily for prayer intentions and everyone enjoyed praying the Stations of the Cross. Goose seems very happy with our Lent book basket. One of the books in it is The Giving Tree. I found my old copy, and he just loves it.

One of my favorite things...when the boys are nice to each other.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

• Super Saints and park, today
• lunch with my parents
• shopping...I found my kids' Easter outfits and want to get them now
• swim lessons
• watching some movies...the Oscars are in less than two weeks and I am behind
• working out
• Magic exhibit at the museum

A picture thought I am sharing...

A lazy Saturday afternoon

Just So You Know

My little Kobra doesn't always cry. Just most of the time...Here are a few pictures from Friday at the zoo and yesterday.

He is so happy to be walking around and out of the stroller! Thankfully, it wasn't crowded at the zoo on Friday so he could walk to his heart's content.

Kissing Mama

Does anyone need an explanation?

I will say that when we got to the zoo he was so cranky that I had them crop him out of the picture they take of you when you walk in the gates. Does that make me a bad mom? Maybe, but I have enough pictures of the kid screaming, and I was excited to have a picture with the twins and Baby Hulk all smiles, plus their mommas!

Stations of the Cross

This is what we'll be using as we pray our Stations of the Cross. Lance and I made this for the family today. (A little late). I am really excited about it. I found the idea online, of course, and instead of numbers that family used small pictures. We thought the numbers would be better since three of our four children are so young.

We are also using two different station books when we pray. We have a short little book to pray with the young children, which is still helpful for the rest of the family. And we have a fantastic Stations of the Cross booklet for the Family from my old parish. This past Friday Goose read two stations, then I would read two stations and so on. Goose picked that particular pattern. After each station we talked about what was said and how we might change our behavior. The little boys seemed to enjoy praying a bit more this year. Obviously, each year will be different as their understanding of this prayer grows, but even at three, Baby Hulk understands the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. BTW, if anyone is taking bets on us having a priest in the family, it's my little cusser, BH. Of course, I probably don't have a priest in the family, but if I do, I can promise it will be him.

ANYWAY...I am really excited about what we made for the children and can't wait to pray the stations as a family again so that the kids can blow out each candle after a station is read.

I also have a basket with our different books regarding Stations of the Cross, a coloring book for Stations, The Giving Tree, and The Legend of the Three Trees. I see a huge Amazon order coming this week because I found a bunch of other books our library needs.

I don't normally try to get preachy on my blog because it seems so not right coming from me, but I have to really encourage everyone to pray the Stations of the Cross during Lent. You won't regret the time spent doing so.

Our Lady of Lourdes

The feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes was February 11, but we had so much going on that we never did this activity I found online: making a grotto out of Cocoa Pebbles. The boys have been reading about the Immaculate Conception, St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes off and on since December. They loved this activity, especially since they knew they would be eating this treat soon!

Melting the marshmallows

Helping Dad

The artist at work

Waiting for permission to have a piece

The finished product...I can't find our Mary!

The End of an Era

I'm done. Over it! Finally, pissed beyond reason. I will NEVER go to Pappasitos on Hillcroft again. EVER! I don't care who wants to go, and that includes my kids, my dad and in-laws. That should show how serious I am.

I love Pappasitos and when we moved to our neighborhood, I was so excited that there was one just down the street. In fact, this was the one I had frequented years ago when there were only two Pappasitos in Houston. Back when my dad would actually wait more than an hour to be sat down at a chain restaurant. BUT, no more. At this point, the food at this location is mediocre at best and the service can only be described as shitty. The last two times we ate there, we waited over thirty minutes for fajitas and kids quesadillas. Hmmm...aren't fajitas a mainstay at this place? Today, we waited seven minutes before being greeted by our waitress and another six minutes before getting our water. WTF? I HATE bad service. Lance got his salad before we had our drinks. We NEVER even got our food because I finally had it. I am done and will never eat there again.

To make matters worse, I had to come home and have another freaking turkey sandwich. I eat turkey sandwiches every flipping day. And since I had been eating chips at Pappasitos, I couldn't have chips at home. UGH.

Can someone tell me where I can find a Pappasitos with good service????

And before anyone tells me that there are tons of great Mexican restaurants in this city, I know that. But I can say that I don't like the fajitas at any of those restaurants except Lupe Tortillas and I don't like their tortillas.

Goose

Yesterday, I was trying to explain the definition of the word brand to Goose. He could see the television from where we were talking, and I asked him if he was listening to me or watching the television. His response: "I can do both."

Each child is "tough" in their own way. Some more obvious than others. (See recent post on Kobra). I have to worry about Goose because I have a feeling this kid is going to be more trouble than I was. I was smart, but this kid thinks faster than I did and probably do now.

Lance's Reminder

Anyone wonder why Lance says no more babies?

Personally, I think we need to end on a positive note, and while I love my little Kobra, he isn't always so positive!

Last Bit of Celebrating

Today was a great day! We celebrated and prepared the house for Lent, which starts tomorrow. Baby Hulk had a play date at the park today, I had a good workout, Goose had a performance at school to celebrate the Chinese New Year, we made a King Cake and the four boys and I went to church for the Mardi Gras celebration and sat with someone from our former church. Despite the fact that the little ones got to bed late, it was so worth going to the party.

Today was a true celebration for us and we are ready for Lent to begin. I think! I hope.

Here are pictures of the boys helping with the King Cake. Really tough recipe...take a tube of cinnamon rolls...you can figure out the rest. We ate the entire thing. I kept telling Squirt afterwards that it was only eight cinnamon rolls between four and a half people!

Our Lenten Calendar. Each day we will pray for something different. This year everyone except Kobra contributed in deciding our daily intentions. I like how personal it is this year.

My Daybook~ Busy Week

For Today...February 15, 2010

Outside my window...it is freezing. Today, we had a play date planned for the park with lunch included. It was so flipping cold that the other family left within ten minutes. My kids who aren't always the toughest, well, they wanted to stay for another hour. So I jumped around trying to stay warm.

I am listening to...a workout mix. No silence for tonight. And that's good for tonight.

I am wearing...jeans and a t-shirt.

I am thankful for...the chance to start over every day and sometimes more than once a day. I have been feeling really good about my parenting the past two weeks, but as Goose reminded me, I could always do better. I didn't even yell at him when he told me that because he is so right.

The Baby Hulk...has to be the funniest kid around. He wanted the last apple and when Goose suggested they share, he told him he was sick and couldn't spread germs. But the best comment..."Mom, why is the door locked?"

From the kitchen...a yummy casserole that everyone in the family loved tonight, King Cake tomorrow, then looking forward to some meatless menus.

I am praying...for a Lent that is meaningful for me and my family. Today, someone asked Goose what Lent meant and his response: "you give up something you like". Great, I am raising a cradle Catholic from the 50's. I want a cradle Catholic from this generation that knows what we believe and loves it. Guess I need to start being a better example.

On keeping home...Does laundry ever end? I love when all the laundry is done, but it drives me crazy that the hampers are all full within one day. We're not that big of a family! Thankfully, I'm not lazy this week. I'm feeling better and ready to tackle the hardcore cleaning again.

I am creating...plans for Lent which include a Lenten cleaning list, my commitments, our family commitments and a purging list. All will be recorded on our fabulous new Lenten calendar that we made today at Super Saints!

To be fit and happy...so today, I had the BEST workout in three weeks. One hour of BodyStep during which the instructor let me pick the tracks and lead. The next hour was all core work. My legs are killing me. I also ate half a king cake and two servings of dinner. I'm good like that. Oh well...it's only Monday, I have the rest of the week to be fit. I think I got happy down today.

To live the liturgy...Ash Wednesday is this week. I have been talking about it with the kids recently and trying to prepare them. I love this season. I will definitely be taking advantage of all the Church has to offer during this time, like extra confession times. We also start Stations of the Cross this Friday. We pray the Stations together as a family and have a wonderful time. It is amazing to hear the boys pray and offer reflections.

Around the house...I need time to look around...I want new shelves and I want bunk beds for the middle boys. I think having the youngest three in the same room is a good idea.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

• the park and Super Saints have already been checked off the list!
• SOCCER...BH started soccer tonight.



• workout
• swimming...BH has moved up a level!
• Mardi Gras at church Tuesday
• Ash Wednesday, sadly, we'll all be going to Mass at different times
• T-ball for Goose on Thursday
• Stations of the Cross on Friday
• all that and I have to fit in dinner for one of Lance's friends this week

A picture thought or two...

Me and all the men in my life on Valentine's Day

The Things Kids say

Or rather their moms.

At Goose's school party last Friday, a mom told this cute little story her daughter told her about Goose.

Other Mom: " We were running late to school and I told my daughter she needed to hurry."

Daughter: "don't worry mom, we're not late until I see Goose running."

Thanks other kinder mom for sharing that with me. First of all, Goose isn't late to school. Yes, we run just about daily, but we aren't late. I walk/run Goose into school EVERY. FLIPPING. DAY. While every other kinder mom is now dropping their child off in the carpool lane, I park my car across the street and get out- sun, rain, freezing temps or not. That is what Goose wants, so I do it.

We don't arrive early. I admit that. The kids sit in the cafeteria until the teacher picks them up each day at 7:40 am. I arrive in time for Goose to get in line on the way to class and walk with him to class. Squirt sits in the car with the other boys. Then I run back and take Squirt to school.

Are we always running? Yes. Sorry, kinder classmate. I have four kids to get in my car every morning and each one, even the fourteen year old, has their own challenges getting in said car. We don't have one minute to spare most mornings, but we do get there. ON. TIME.

But again, thanks other mom for sharing that little story about us always running in the morning. I might have forgotten this is my life.

Percy Jackson

Last night was a blast. Squirt and I met my friend Shea and her son Will for our movie night. Four people who loved Percy Jackson going to see the movie on opening night- total geeks. I even bought tickets earlier in the day and arrived fifteen minutes early for the movie. Who believes this about me? It's true. Shea is one of those people who is always on time, so I didn't want to disappoint. (Interesting fact about me. ALL of my friends are timely. They must get so annoyed with me.) Anyway, being early didn't matter. We still had to sit on the third row of the theater. It took some getting used to, but I handled being that close without complaining too much. After all, the night wasn't about me.

Will sat there in silence the entire movie, while Squirt chit chatted throughout most of it. He is so like his dad!

I was a bit scared about this movie because of the director. He's fine and all, did the first two Harry Potter movies, which were enjoyable until you saw what every other director has done with the series. I didn't want to be able to tell that this was a Chris Columbus movie. While it was definitely Chris Columbus, it wasn't bad. There were huge changes, which would have bothered me more if I had recently read the book. The acting was decent enough for a kid movie. Sounds like a good enough movie, right?

What went wrong? Well, the audience for this movie (and book) is about eight years old to maybe fifteen years old. The eight year olds are just starting the series this year and the fifteen year olds read the fifth book last spring. They have been waiting for this movie for at least three years. Nothing in these books was inappropriate. Yes, there were a few things to explain to an eight year old, but nothing sexual in these books until maybe book five where there is a kiss. The movie was a completely different story. The girls who were supposed to be Aphrodite's daughters, and therefore beautiful, were identified by their slinky bikinis. The scene where the main characters are supposed to be playing video games in a casino is instead a scene where the kids eat Lotus flowers at a nightclub. You could totally tell the kids were "on" something. The entire scene was sexual and inappropriate for kids, even my fourteen year old. It was a PG movie. When we read the book, we imagined a huge arcade type of place, not a night club with people acting high on lotus flowers.

Lance asked me if I was uncomfortable watching those scenes with Squirt. I wasn't and was actually able to discuss my opinions with him. I'm not sure if he fully appreciated what I said, but as a mom, I was really happy to have this opportunity to discuss what I found wrong with those scenes in the movie.

Overall, I enjoyed the film, I just thought the changes that were made for the sake of money, I'm sure, didn't need to happen. Afterwards, we went to eat and sat around and talked. It was really nice to spend an evening with a good friend who I don't see very often and my oldest who I don't get to spend a lot of alone time with either.

Thanks for hanging with the other kids, Baby. Hope your evening was as fun as mine!

Error

My scale has a new trick. I weigh myself and it has a really nice number, one that I saw very regularly before the holidays. For half a second, I am happy as can be trying to forget my bad eating. Then it happens...a big flash that says: ERROR. I weigh again and five pounds have been added. I hate my scale.

Date Night with Squirt

Tonight is the night! Squirt and I are going to see Percy Jackson and the Olympians! We are so psyched about this movie. Squirt and I LOVED this series of books. He is starting to sound like an adult though. He has certain expectations about this movie and doesn't want the movie to suck. I am super excited about seeing this movie with just him. At the beginning of the year, for two years now, one of our family goals has been to spend time alone with each child. It's not like we have tons of kids, but it does get hectic trying to schedule alone time with each child. So thankfully, he's not too cool to spend time with his mom on a Friday night. First, we're hitting Costco for samples, then we'll see the movie and after that have dinner. I couldn't ask for a better night!

Coconut M&M's

can be found at Walgreens at Westheimer and Farm Road. At least, that's what I've been told. Lance also searched through Twitter and was told Walgreens at various locations around the city. He never found them.

Also, at all 7-11's in the Chicago area, should that matter to anyone.

LOVE THEM!!!

Bleep

So it happened. Finally, one of my kids has decided to cuss like mom. Can anyone guess who it might be? Of course, it's the Baby Hulk. Who else could it be?

While at the doctor's office today, I asked BH to put on his jacket. He said he didn't want to put on his bleeping jacket. When I kept asking him to repeat himself just in case I heard wrong, he had no problem letting me know that he didn't need his bleeping jacket. It wouldn't have been so bad except for the fact that Lance was there. So both me and BH had lectures on our potty mouths. Maybe I'll give up cussing for Lent this year.

I Hate Girl Scouts

Okay, really, I just hate their cookies. Despite the fact that the cookies really aren't very good and nothing like I remember from my childhood, I have already had four cookies today. I made a stop at a friend's house like a junkie trying to get a fix. I am supposed to be sick, yet have been eating so much, Marivi asked if I was pregnant. I'm not, but wouldn't that be a good excuse?!

Meanwhile, I have five more boxes of cookies coming from my niece this weekend. How could I refuse my sweet little niece actually calling and doing the selling herself. I LOVE when kids selling things actually do the selling themselves rather than their parents. When I worked, nothing pissed me off more than parents who would slap a sign up sheet in the break room and expect orders. LAZY.

I also ate coconut M and M's today. Thank you Brian and Jessica!!! You guys are so on the good list.

A little thing called will power would be nice right about now.

One of My Least Favorite Things...

I completely forgot about this...The Blind Side. I can't think of a movie this year that has sucked more than this movie. I admit I can be cynical about popular movies, but I do like mainstream movies too. Bring It On is one of my all time favorite movies. I'm not a Sandra Bullock fan, but I LOVE While You Were Sleeping. Probably because I love Bill Pullman, but again, another fluff movie that I love.

I can't even properly explain why I hated the Blind Side so much except to say that it was laughable when it shouldn't have been funny, the acting was terrible from Ms. Bullock to the main kid to the coach to the annoying little boy. There is nothing good about bad dialogue and bad acting. Seriously, this movie was painful to watch. I don't like dumb concepts where a mom calls the coach during a game and the coach answers the phone. It just doesn't happen.

Anyone remember Varsity Blues? Remember the Titans? Rudy? Wildcats? (yes, the Goldie Hawn movie.) All of these are better movies. Actually, anything on Lifetime, television for women, is better than this movie. When Sandra Bullock wins an Oscar, I can assure you that the puking I wanted to do yesterday will finally happen. It will be worse than Julia Roberts winning over Ellen Burstyn. Okay, nothing is worse than that. But this is close.

My Daybook~ To Feel Human

For Today...February 8, 2010

Outside my window...the sun is shining and it's cold. It's too nice a day to stay inside so despite feeling like dirt, I am taking the kids to the park for lunch. It's not their fault I feel sick.

I am listening to...the little boys laugh. Kobra is cracking up at whatever the Baby Hulk is doing to him. Nothing is better than hearing the kids have fun together.

I am wearing...my workout clothes. I had such grand plans for this week, but here I am at home not even thinking about the gym.

I am thankful for...my parents who took care of the kids for the weekend. Paul and Brain who flew in to spend the weekend with us. And friends who helped celebrate my Baby's birthday. Lance has been friends with the same group of guys since middle school. It's a riot to listen to them. I don't think there is a funnier group of people.

I am reading...the same thing. I am making progress in my books. Plus, I have a new incentive to keep reading my travel book. We're taking a trip with Paul and Brian this summer to end of our year of 40.

From the kitchen...nothing planned just yet, but I want a week of healthy meals.

I am praying...that I feel better soon. I admit that I'm completely feeling the effects of my weekend, but I am still sick. Drinking while sick probably was a dumb idea. I'm still really tired and can't shake this sick feeling. I was up the entire night coughing. It was so bad Lance left the room. The kids still have snotty noses and Goose is still really tired.

Around the house...I got a new shag rug for our living room. I love it! And so do the boys. Even the baby is rolling around in it. Now if I can just find some new shelves...

On keeping home...I just told my best friend that I don't see myself wanting to clean this week. How sad is that? It's only Monday, but I can feel it. Thankfully, we're a pretty clean bunch over here, so I think it will be okay if this does turn out to be a lazy week.

Kobra...is starting to talk. Of course, it seems that Squirt and I are the only ones who understand him...Just the other day, he pointed to a picture and said Squirt's name, then brother, then yes, and dog! I love this stage of childhood. Lance did not understand one single word. But he often doesn't understand the Hulk so it's no surprise.

I am laughing about...all the advice I got on how to cure a hangover. My favorite was ice cream, the source even funnier. And my brother, well, he didn't understand why I waited so long to get fast food. As he and another friend told me, "it's not like you've never been here before." But NEVER again.

One of my favorite things...friends...who love you no matter what, who hope you feel better, say the right things, forgive and share in your mishaps.

To live the liturgy...I'm hoping we can get back on track with Super Saints. Our Lady of Lourdes was this past weekend. A friend and I are getting together to make a grotto out of cereal with the kids. Should be fun.

To be fit and happy...tomorrow I'll be back at the gym, then I'm hitting it really hard all week. At least, that is the plan.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

• super saints
• playdate at the park
• swim lessons
• taking Squirt to see Percy Jackson
• going to see my in-laws on Saturday

A picture thought I am sharing...

Airport shot

Note to Self

YOU HAVE GIVEN UP DRINKING. F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

The Feast of St. Blaise

Today is the feast of St. Blaise. When Lance was confirmed, he chose St. Blaise as his confirmation saint because St. Blaise is patron over those with throat ailments. At one point in our marriage, (when one of the babies arrived, I think), Lance's throat started closing in on him. Fear, maybe. We found a good doctor and have been big fans of St. Blaise ever since. Lance does his need voice after all. The kids, well, sometimes, it would be nice if they lost their voices.

This seems to be such a busy week in terms of feast days and secular days that we wanted to celebrate. (St. Bridig, Candlemas, St. Blaise, St. Agnes, plus 100th day of school and groundhog day.) There is so much to experience in just one week. And with everyone sick last week, we didn't have as much early reading as I would have liked. We were going to cover St. Blaise this week in Super Saints, but had to cancel. After today, I think the boys will be excited to cover him next week.

After dropping the big boys off at school, we went to Mass. Baby Hulk started to fuss, but quickly calmed down without me getting upset. We went into Mass to find the Hulk's favorite priest celebrating the Mass. Yay! These days I have been staying in the cry room, which I hate, because Kobra and the BH are so loud. They just don't get it. Today, I wish people could have heard the BH. Father made a couple of statements to which he responded out loud.

We received the blessing of the throats, and of course, Baby Hulk had no desire for such a thing. Thankfully, I didn't have to embarrass myself in front of the church to get him to cooperate. We left feeling really good about our time this morning. My priest even told me I need to invite him over to our house. I think he's right. We love this priest and always talk about having him over, but never get around to it. Even Lance was able to attend Mass at noon and have his throat blessed.

I talked so much about St. Blaise today that Baby Hulk was able to tell the family why our cross had red vestments on today and about St. Blaise. I think he just wanted the treat, but I'm fine with that for now.

I copied a dessert from Catholic Cuisine and the boys really enjoyed it. The following are pictures from our night. Yes, I blessed the boys with cookies, but I forgot to stop and get candles today. They each listened very sweetly to my prayers, then ran off with their treats! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Watching Mama

The finished cookies with a flame on top







ALL MINE


His Throat seems fine to me


I am not going to share, I will eat as much as my big brothers

ST. BLAISE, PRAY FOR US

Hot Water Heaters and President Obama

I still have no hot water and at the rate I'm going it looks like I'll be taking a shower at my neighbor's house. After several calls this morning, I finally managed to get the warranty transferred over to me. I was super excited because the warranty is void if you're not the original purchaser. I got excited for nothing because, of course, the warranty doesn't cover labor. The labor for this job is $350. FABULOUS. This won't come as a big shock to anyone who knows the former owners of my house, but they purchased a totally crappy, cheap water heater. It has the worst reviews. Why am I surprised?

Because I'm all about spending $1200 rather than $350, I decided it would be better to just invest in a new water heater. I've been calling plumbing stores and using the terms my plumber told me only to have silence on the other end. Maybe I wrote down the wrong word? How can they not know what I am talking about? Maybe I have the wrong plumber?

In my research for the perfect water heater, I read a customer service message board, and I swear to God people started arguing about the economy and Obama while discussing the customer service regarding their water heaters. It provided some entertainment in what would normally be a boring read about crappy customer service. I'm not sure of the connection, but there is nothing like a message board to bring out the ugly in people.

But hey, maybe they are on to something. Just maybe Obama is the reason I have no hot water.