We hit another milestone over here: Jessica graduated from high school.  I have to admit this spring has really brought out the emotions in me.  And this graduation was no exception.  I’m glad it was just me and the baby at the ceremony.  Someone might have seen the tears in my eyes.

Jessica is another member of the family.  A big sister to all the kids.  Someone who can come and hang out whenever and for as long as she wants.  She just fits with us.

She has a great family, a dad and grandfather who dote on her and take care of her.  And she has us too: to keep her company when she might get lonely, no chance of that over here.  We watch out the window as she comes home, the boys screaming to let me know she is home.  We check up on the boyfriends.  And we’re here to talk when she needs someone to talk with.  You know, all the things you do with people you love.

We are so proud of our sweet girl!  Like I said, I expect great things from you.  We are here to help along the way.  We love you and are excited about your next chapter in life!

Sunday was the feast of Pentecost, the birth of the church.  And like any good Catholic, we celebrated.

The boys made tongues of fire hats on Saturday.  Sunday my mom made a fruit salad with 12 fruits representing the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  And we had cake.  It wouldn’t be a birthday without cake.

When my niece asked why we were having cake, she listened to all my words about Pentecost and seemed to enjoy hearing about it.  Either that or she just wanted some cake.

School officially ended for my seven year old today.  We had a field trip he really wanted to attend.  Afterwards we cleaned out his desk, tossed all his papers and came home to relax.

I am so happy to have my boy home for the summer.  School is way too long in my opinion.  I hate homework and feel that teachers are pressured to hand it out these days.  Kids don’t need homework after school, they need time with their family.  To play, to read, to interact with each other and just be kids.

So many times this year, reading together has been shoved aside for homework.  And thankfully, our teacher didn’t give a lot of homework.  It’s just with homework and the need to unwind, bedtime comes fast.  Too fast.  Either Lance is rushing everyone through dinner with me complaining that we need to enjoy ourselves or I’m rushing the kids through their showers.  The nights ended with me making the same complaints over and over.  I want my kid home, I want to homeschool, none of this would happen if I had 2 1/2 hours of lessons plus nature study.  We could read during the day, I wouldn’t feel like I was always trying to catch up on lost time.

I spoke with Goose’s kindergarten teacher today.  I told her that it isn’t any easier dropping him at school today than it was that first day of K so long ago.  She couldn’t believe it.  Honestly, I just like that kid so much!

And for less than three months, he’s MINE, ALL MINE!

I plan to enjoy our time.  Especially since there is a possibility that another one will be leaving in August too.  (I can’t even think about that, and for the sake of my marriage, I can’t argue it anymore either.)

Monday the boys and I spent the day with one of my favorite families.  I met Betsy through our five year-olds at the gym two years ago.  They became fast buddies while we worked out.  Once I found out that she also had an interest in homeschooling, our friendship was solidified.  I had someone who not only listened to me, but who had the same goals in education for her children as I did.  I think this has been a blessing for Lance.

Back to the thicket…

I’ve been wanting to take the boys there since driving home from Alabama.  I assumed it was relatively close, but in reality it’s 2 hours away. The visitors center was informative and though super freaking hot, the hiking was nice.  We were determined to get the boys junior ranger badges so the end was a bit rushed.

No David was pushed along while being told, “you promised you wouldn’t fuss” by the Baby Hulk.  It’s true, he did promise.  And he really didn’t fuss much at all.  In fact, I wish I looked at nature as he did: strolling along and stopping to check any little thing that catches his eye.  It’s pretty adorable.  Instead of rushing to check things off the list like one of my sons, he stopped and inhaled the outdoors.  So even though he was quoted on Saturday evening as saying “hiking is just walking”, I know he gets it.

We completed our mission…

Overall, it was a great day.  Unless you count the random spiritual trip, Holy Spirit, heat exhaustion…also known as an acid trip, I experienced.

For Today…May 21, 2012

Outside my window…my dog is barking.  Yes, we still have the dog.  The dog who digs up my bulbs.  The dog who bolted from the gate the other day.

I am wearing…a black and blue dress that flows.  Lance thought it was a slip.  I don’t think this dress will make it into the rotation.

I am hearing…the funniest show on television right now, Veep.  This show is so good, and not just because the VP talks a lot like me.

Moments of grace…a sweet note from a friend, watching my kids succeed in sports, watching my husband hold his temper when he got frustrated over the game.  Having him tell me we will never be “those parents”, no matter what.  He’s right, he’s a lot more graceful than me.  Teaching the kids about the Ascension.

I am praying for…a special intention, Lord, hear my prayer!  For the intention of a friend, in thanksgiving for my priest and in thanksgiving for the gift of adoption.

On the menu…chicken, chicken, chicken…The Key West diet is not working as well as I had hoped.  6 weeks.  8 pounds, how hard can that be???

To be fit and happy…My frustration with dieting is really due to the fact that I workout.  Five freaking days a week.  Does that mean that I workout just to maintain my bad eating habits?  I see a change coming.  This week!  Squirt wanted Insanity for his birthday gift.  And I okayed it on the condition that I could use it any time I wanted!. He and I plan on taking before and after pictures.  He is going to be so amazed at my stamina.

Around the house…I have five different statues of Mary in my house.  All I want is another for my garden and one for my kitchen window.  I have found neither.

To live the liturgy…The feast of the Ascension was last Thursday.  My Easter decorations went to the attic yesterday.  I just couldn’t last one more week.  But really, we did pretty good and my kids understand that “we are Easter people.”  I have a great craft for the boys.  Then we are making a windsock for Pentecost, tying in religion, science and arts all into one lesson.

Finding the joy…in little league, I would have never thought I could like it that much.

I am creating…a small token for Goose’s second grade class.

One of my favorite things…when Goose tells me he would rather spend the day with us/me than his class on a field trip.  This Tuesday he’ll stay home and field trip with us.

A few plans for the week…as far as I am concerned, Goose is done with school this week.  We have a family field trip tomorrow, award ceremony and class party on Thursday and then we’re done.  I just have to finish the gift before he skips the last four days of school.  (And don’t even lecture me about him missing school, I bet my life that there will be no work at school until next year.)

*photo credit- Lance
*model- LZ and NVZ
*outfit- Aunt Stacy

Another year has come and gone.  Squirt, you’re a year older.  One more year until you graduate from high school.  It’s hard to believe that this is where we are right now.  It seems like just yesterday I was taking you to your first day of high school.

It’s been a more difficult year, but I’m quite positive we’re not the only parents to deal with teenage issues.  But at their worst, we know we’re still so blessed.  We want more from you because we know what you’re capable of, what is in store for you in a few years.   We can’t live your life and make things easier for you.  We can only prepare you for what lies ahead.  And that my son is what we’ve tried to do and why we’re often on your butt about things.

One thing that will never change is our love for you.  Ever.  You’re our son, and we always have your back.

This is going to be an exciting year for you.  I hope you embrace all the opportunities that come your way.  Happy Birthday, Squirt.

Goose has been participating in WITS, Writers in the School, all year.  They ended the year with a party in which the teacher passed out a book with their own work inside.  It was pretty inspired to hear each child read a work they created to the class.

Each student selected four pieces for the book.  Goose choose the one below to share with the class.  It brought tears to my eyes, okay, not really but only because I don’t cry.  But it did make me filled to the brim with happiness.  Hmmm…I don’t really talk that way, suffice to say, I was freaking really happy and texted several people about An Ode To Snoopy.

Here’s why: he’s 7 about to be 8 in two months.  And he’s a boy, becoming more and more boy as each day passes.  Yet he still loves Snoopy.  These days will pass.  All too soon.  Even if he continues to sleep with Snoopy, there will be days where he is left home when he goes to school.  Days where he won’t ask for him.  One day he will be embarrassed to admit he ever loved Snoopy so much he took him into the shower, slept with him every single night and cried himself to sleep when the babysitter couldn’t find him.

One day.

But not today.  Right now, Snoopy has a place at the table with us, rides in the car with us and snuggles a little boy every night.  The top three poeple on Goose’s list: Snoopy, Baby Z and …

Ode to My Snoopy

Snoopy is my favorite animal.  I love my Snoopy.
I take him to school in the car.
I sleep with him every night.
Sometimes, when I am at Playscape, I bring him in.
On vacations, I always bring him.
I never want him to leave me.
I love my Snoopy a lot.

It’s your day, Dad.  I wish I could say you were enjoying it as you should be, but I know better.  I hope you know how much we all love you.  You’re a great father and your generosity is only half the story.  It’s how much you care and how evident it is that makes you a great dad.  We all feel your love.  I’m grateful for everything you do and for the time you spend with the kids.  I love you dearly.  I hope this year is wonderful, full of love and lots of free time spent with your grandchildren!

Today at mass they handed out a holy card to all mothers.  The following was on the back of the card:

A Mother’s Love

A mother’s love is something
No one can explain,
It’s made of deep devotion,
Of sacrifice and pain.
It’s endless and unselfish,
Enduring come what may,
It’s patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking.
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns
Nothing can destroy it
Or take that love away…

I think that pretty much describes my mom.  She is truly generous with her time and love not only to me,  but to my family as well.  Growing up she took me everywhere. cooked amazing food and always had nice treats waiting for me when I came home from school.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!  I love you and am so grateful God gave me you for a mom.

Poem adapted from Helen Steiner Rice

:: My “no yelling” couldn’t last forever.  I tried, and kind of lost it yesterday.  I really wanted to go to mass, and No David didn’t.  He never does.  He thinks that it lasts too long.  Daily mass is 30 minutes.  And honestly, I don’t care.  I’m not a religious fanatic, so I am not going to feel guilty because I want to attend daily mass a couple of times a week.  Especially since lately I haven’t made it to daily mass but once a week.  He is just so bratty, and I was done.  By the time I left I was in the party of mothers who wants nothing more than to spend mother’s day alone.

So I yelled, then went to workout and vented to a friend, who listened and gave some nice advice.  The Today show had a segment about how bad yelling is for your kids.  As if I didn’t already know that.  And really, their advice wasn’t helpful.  At all.  Regardless, I apologized for yelling after I finished 4 miles.  And I thank my husband for that.  Anytime he loses his temper with our children, he apologizes.  Yes, we both know we shouldn’t lose our tempers and how I wish we were  “peaceful parents”, but we are flawed.  So very flawed.  But he has taught me how important it is to apologize.

However, just in case No David decides to act like a jackhole again, I think it best to attend Mass on Saturday evening so Sunday isn’t ruined for me.  Since I’m only a mom and not a real teacher, I only get one day to celebrate my wonderfulness, rather than a week.  I don’t want anything to eff it up.

:: Don’t you wish that you could see your children through the eyes of other people?  Like when someone says “wow, they are so mature”, I just wish I could stop myself from thinking “if you only knew.”

:: I mainly use my gmail account now, but I have had a Yahoo account for years and years.  There is no reason as to why some people use that account, but I’ve never bothered with forcing everyone to one account.  I check it about every other day and get slightly excited when I notice I have email because a certain really funny friend uses that account with me.  I rarely speak to her so I am always hoping for an email.  Lately,  I get about 5 emails a day from the person in charge of my 25th reunion from high school.  Apparently I was put on a Facebook list so I am lucky enough to get her updates on a daily basis.  To be clear, I’m not the high school reunion type of person.  Not to be rude, but I just don’t care about anyone from high school that I don’t talk to right now.  Sure I’m nosy, but not about them, I’m nosy about things that make perfect sense to be nosy about rather than some person I didn’t give a shit about in high school.  How do I get off that freaking list?  I can’t take the disappointment of seeing this girl’s name in my email any longer.

:: Baby Hulk and Goose keep a nature journal, although it’s mainly Baby Hulk that writes in his.  Each week after our class at the sanctuary, he draws pictures and writes a few facts about what he learned.  This week, No David decided he wanted to join in as well.  I had the perfect book for him to start using, the only problem: he can’t write at all.  He told me what to write and made an attempt at some drawings.  Maybe this will inspire him to start holding a pencil properly.

:: It’s May, it’s Mother’s Day and the month of Mary.  Below is a picture of our Mary Altar.  My most prized Mary statues, a blue vase waiting to be filled with paper flowers, and a blue rosary.  And while I said I’m not a religious fanatic, I only want two things for Mother’s Day: a statue of Mary for my flower bed or a small wooden figure for my windowsill.  Considering that the statue I found was $170, I think I’ll be getting the wooden figure.