Category Archives: Kids

Parenting. Not for the weak.

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It’s summer.  Need I say more?

I didn’t think so.

It’s rained this week.  All.  Week.  Every.  Day.

I actually enjoyed working because I knew I wasn’t cooped up in the house with bored kids trying to fray each other’s last nerve as a past-time.  I was glad the girls had day-camp to go to.  Glad the boys are old enough to entertain themselves with bike rides and skateboarding (in between the rain) and horn practice and video editing.

Last night though.  The rain mojo.  Oy.  So bad.  So bad that on the way to our son’s July 4th concert I turned the car around.  Yes I did.  We kicked the girls out.  Yes we did.  We made them go back in the house.  Yes we did.  It cancelled all “rest and relaxation” time for our 15-year-old, but hey if Mama and Papa aren’t getting any R&R why should he?

We asked each other, “What the he** are we doing wrong???”

Reality:  Rainy week.  Less than adequate planning.  Tired kids.  Tired parents.  Boom!

Answer to our question:  “nothing”.  We are doing everything right.  Life happens.  Especially when you have 6 personalities to deal with.  And rain.  Life happens.

Moving on.

WIWS Vol. 10

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Linking back up with All the fine, fine ladies @ Fine Linen and Purple with this Sunday’s outfit.  I’ve stopped linking due to outfit repeat, however…..Kendra so sweetly reminded me last week (and others….) that it’s all about sharing, inspiring and having some fun.  So, here goes this week’s Mass fashion:

Mama

Skirt:  Kohl’s, also seen HERE

Shirt:  IDK, Cardigan: Kohl’s

Ring and necklace:  Lia Sophia

Barrette:  Target (I think)

Shoes:  Target (I think)

Girls

I went thrifting yesterday with our oldest son (he loves to thrift!!) and our oldest girl (also a thrifter!!) and scored a ton for all.  Here are two dresses we picked up yesterday.  And when the heck did my oldest girl get so tall and old????!!!  Be still my heart!

Boys

They all looked handsome but don’t really enjoy the photo shoots, so just imagine, khakis, plaids and combed hair.  K?

Including the outtake explaining to my girl to include the WHOLE outfit.

Including the outtake explaining to my girl to include the WHOLE outfit.

Accessories PicMonkey Collage Abby

Father’s day project homerun!

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Have you ever read “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman?  It is a fantastic book and has made a huge impact in our marriage.  The basis is that we all “speak” love in various ways and often our languages get mixed up as we likely do not speak love in the same manner, especially in marriage.  There is a quiz you can take with your significant other and see where you both lie; honestly it really cleared up a lot in the communication department once we began to translate each other’s languages.  (There is a book relating the same idea to kids as well).

Anyhoooo, Hubby’s main love language happens to be words of encouragement (whereas mine is gifts).  My friend Mary recently posted on Facebook about a sweet Mother’s day gift her daughter made for her for Mother’s day:  a jar decorated and filled with sweet notes for her to savor.  And so, I am mistress of stealing ideas and made this one my own for Hubby for Father’s Day.  A gift that spoke his love language, he loved it!   Feel free to steal it for your own!

Pasta jar. Cleaned. Scrapbook paper cut and glued with fancy ribbon to tie around top

Pasta jar. Cleaned. Scrapbook paper cut and glued with fancy ribbon to tie around top

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Printed and cut out a favorite photo, glued on top and filled jar with sweet notes from each kiddo!

Friday Quickie x 7

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Get your mind out of the gutter would you?  I’m just linking up to Jennifer Fulwiler and her amazing round-up of people sharing their top 7 thoughts/ideas/highlights of the week and since I’ve got time this week, I’ll share again.

  1. Home for the 4th day in a row status post tonsillectomy.  Oh, but it’s summer.  And there are children home.  All.  Day.  Long.  Not really, but sort of.  Enough that I wouldn’t call it a week of “quiet time”.  Not so much time to really get a lot “done”.  And yet…..it’s better than being at work!  So I’ll zip it.

    Sometimes you fall asleep with popsicle in hand after surgery

    Sometimes you fall asleep with popsicle in hand after surgery

  2. I did get a few things done this week.  My desk area is cleared off, bills are paid, laundry is done, sheets are changed and dinners have been cooked AND eaten prior to 7 p.m. more than a few times this week.
  3. The girls and I took my new-to-me sewing machine to my grandmother’s for a refresher lesson (it’s been at least 12 years since I last set that bobbin and thread and needle).  The girls enjoyed a ride in the neighbor’s golf car/cart thing and my grandmother and I figured that baby out.  It is now getting a good maintenance and I am armed, ARMED, I tell you with knowledge.  Pillows and curtains certain to be forthcoming….

    My grandmother is the BEST! A true blessing in our family.

    My grandmother is the BEST! A true blessing in our family.

  4. My camera is back.  I haven’t used it yet.  I HAVE found some useful websites to explore and experiment with.  And I still have 2 days left of this medi-cation….(haha, I crack myself up!)grid
  5. Paid Sonic a visit.  Milkshakes and a sore tonsil area?  Yes, please.  ‘Twas a hot one and tasty they were.  On a sad note, I now have confirmation that milk is no longer my friend.  <sigh> at least  my hips will be thankful.IMG_4711
  6. Finished Hubby’s Father’s Day project, cards bought AND mailed and plans to visit with my step-dad and siblings on Sunday are cemented.  Days ahead of time.  Do you SEE how much my job gets in my way of getting stuff done????
  7. Made it to Daily Mass on Thursday at the church we first attended when we moved here.  It’s a Basilica now and it is just a stunning church.  My crappy iPhone pics do not do it justice, but I will try to doctor them up and present them in a separate post….it’s worthy.  Here’s a little sneaky peak ‘tho.

**as a bonus, I’ve talked to my BFF every day this week, had a text fest daily with several people without the threat of being fired and I’ve caught up with a few other friends by PHONE this week.  It’s a big week to connect, folks!  Big week!

While I choose my next book, y’all go visit Jen et al!

Blessings!

 

Theme Thursday: Dad

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What is the meaning of this, Tracy?  Two posts in one day?  What in the sam heck is going on with you?!??!  Clearly this time off with a rehabbing child who is limited in energy and prohibited from sun has us INDOORS and running short and brief errands which in turn leaves me plenty of “bon-bon time” as my Hubby calls it.  Shoot, I’ve got blogs in stand-by, you’ll be sick of me by next week.  Or hooked.  Either way.  When I actually blog, my stats go UP.  Who knew??

So today…..I join in with Cari and fellow Themers at:

Father’s day is coming.  I’ve got a super cutie thingamajig planned for the Hubs by the kids (totally His love language, but I can’t tell you about it b/c he actually reads my blog from time to time…so tell you later!).  And so perfect timing on the Father Theme.

Dads are crucial.  Period.  End.

Case in point:  When my Hubs was “away” I knew, KNEW, KNEW….his relationship with our kids and vice versa was the key to our future as a family.  We did everything we could to cultivate those relationships during this time apart, from frequent visits, phone calls, letters, date-visits, photos, etc, etc.  There came a time close to him coming home during a heated exchange with our oldest at his tweeniest that he said to me “You wait until I tell Dad about this”.  It was at that point, I knew all of our joint effort as husband and wife, mother and father that it was ALL.  WORTH.  IT.   Further affirmation came when Hubs was finally home with our dark chapter behind us and re-entry into our FULL family life was essentially smooth as buttah.  Life wasn’t and ISN’T perfect, however, our struggles are pretty much in line with any other family life with mucho kiddos.  We are imperfect people.  What can I say?  We acknowledge it and move on.

The fact that Abba, Father has been the cornerstone of our family life may have had a little somethin’ somethin’ to do with it also.  Just an observation.

Happy Father’s Day, Hubby!  And to all those dads out there….keep workin’ it….it’s worth every second!!!

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Birthday. Poor guy never gets a straight shot at the candles!

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Father’s Day ’11

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Father’s Day with Popop, MY step-dad who is the BOMB-Diggety. This is 2 years old and he is now dwarfed by the boys…

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The boys off to mow lawns, a job obtained due to Dad’s teaching, patience and diligence. My wallet is forever grateful!