Alleluia!  We can say it again.  Here’s the question though: is it relief that Lent is over, relief that the madness of another holiday has passed or do we truly rejoice in the resurrection?  In my house, I can honestly say it’s a bit of all three.

My Lent was okay at best.  No real spiritual gains, but no backtracking either.  I had minimal plans for our family this Lent.  Pray together, sacrifice, and give.

We made it to 37 bags.  And to be honest, I’m just going to cheat and say we made it to 40 bags since we have donated so much over the past six months.  The best part was going to each child on Thursday and asking them to hand over something to donate.  And each did so willingly without fussing.  They gave away good, gently used toys.

Sacrificing was harder…I’ve learned not to discuss what I have up, but I did okay.  The boys did great and each child was really tempted over the past several weeks.

The praying together part went okay.  The younger boys and I prayed the Stations of the Cross very regularly.  But we never managed to make it a big family thing like I wanted.  It really is wonderful to see the Baby Hulk recognizing each Station now.  Goose was completely jealous that we went to the outdoor Stations so Thursday after school, I took him and his brother.

And Thursday is when the holiday madness started.

The Easter Triduum…the most amazing time of the year in the church.  A time not to be missed.  (As I type this, I am remembering that I was supposed to take my friend Angela this year.  Next year!)   While some schools were out on Thursday, HISD wasn’t.  I had a parent teacher conference that day, Kite Day, an afternoon play date, Stations out on 290 after school, and Mass.  Plus, I had to get to Mass super early because Squirt was serving.

We made it to Mass and even sat up front, but the boys were not on their best behavior.  We got home late and frustrated.

Good Friday was another busy day.  A day that started with everyone in my room before 7.  We made it to the gym, home to get Squirt, Miller’s Outdoor for a play, Old Navy to get Squirt some shirts, home to pump, lunch with friends, then back to church.  Then Lance, Squirt and I all took turns standing in line for Confession.  Yes, we waited until the very last second to go to Confession.  And we weren’t the only ones.  The lines proved it.

The younger boys couldn’t have been more misbehaved on Friday.  Another frustrating day.

Saturday brought more business…but it was all important.  Chelsea came to see the boys and bring presents from her trip.  We were able to spend an hour before my dad came to take us to lunch and shopping.  By the time we got home, I was dead.  The boys continued to test and test.  And we were all failing.

At 7 pm I started making food for today and wanted to cancel my Mass plans.  Holy Saturday is a long Mass.  A beautiful mass, but so very long.  I called my dad, who said not to go.  My mom was already at my house willing to do whatever, but noted her vote was to go.

By the time we left, I was so mad, the boys had been relegated to their rooms, I was pissed at Lance and running so late.  But God was good, we made it, it was dark when we arrived, they were just lighting the Easter Candle.

As I sat in Mass, I stewed for a bit longer.  Finally, I started to release some of the tension of the past few days.  These are my days, not because my kids are overbooked, but because that is our life.  I talked about it with my dad at lunch, I don’t have answers, I just know the problem is that I go nonstop from 6:30 until about midnight.

Holy Saturday Mass is truly the most beautiful thing to witness.  It starts in darkness and slowly the lights come on until finally, the church is completely bright and we’re singing the Gloria.  When the lights go on, I almost tear up.  I don’t cry, but if I did, I would.  It is always at that moment that I feel God’s grace.  (Okay, I feel it more than once a year…)  That moment takes away all the anger and frustration in me.

I was moved beyond words, watching these people convert to a faith I feel blessed to have been born into.  Listening to a priest my whole family adores, I felt blessed.  Continuing the tradition of attending this Mass with my mom, I felt blessed.  Coming home and staying up past 2 am to finish food for today and fill baskets and make treats for my angels, I felt blessed.

And today, when I went back to Mass for the fourth day in a row and was so hot due to the crowds at Mass, I felt blessed.  When my kids were perfect in Mass today, I thanked God.  Then I went to spend the afternoon with my parents and brother’s family.  Truly I am blessed.  I sing Alleluia at the top of my lungs because Lent is over, the holiday get together was near perfect and Christ is risen!  Happy Easter!

Today I took Baby Hulk and No David to pray the Stations of the Cross.  We went to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, a beautiful church off of 290.  There is a grotto and outdoor Stations.  We went last year, and the children loved it.  Last night, I decided we were going again to pray outside.  If I waited until the entire family was available, it wouldn’t work out.  My hope is that my parents and my brother’s family can join my entire family one day so we can pray together.  I know I would enjoy that as would the children.

I realize that taking pictures of my kids while praying is the very definition of contrived, but I had to do it.  They were just so sweet and innocent in prayer.  I didn’t force the shots, just allowed them to pray and snapped photos as we moved from Station to Station.   Basically, this means I’ll be saying the Stations tonight on my own.

My kids beg for some form of attention from me almost every second of the day.  They expect a lot from me.  Sometimes, it’s not a big deal, but others I just want to do what I want at that moment.  It’s hard not to fall into that trap of thinking you’re just a servant to your kids.

Except really I am.  And I’m happy to be the person they go to to fulfill their every whim.  Of course, I want them to become self sufficient, but I want them to know that they can always depend on me.  Yes, there are times they have to wait while I finish what I’m doing, but I think if I am giving, they will learn the same trait.

I hear a lot of moms saying “my kids expect me to do X,Y,Z  for them.  What do they do for me?”  I have no doubt that these women love their children, I just know I don’t want to sound like them.

I am grateful for the chance to mother these children, to do for them, to try my best to fulfill their every dream.

In trying to be a better mother, I promise:

1. to look my children in the eye when they speak to  me
2. minimize computer time when my children are with me
3. limit phone time when my children are with me
4. try my hardest to stay away from “just a sec”
5. hug them when they start screaming or crying (praying on this one.)
6. love them with all my heart
7. love their father with all my heart
8. start my day with prayer
9. pray for them
10. play with them

I still stare at each of my kids in amazement.  How did I really get here?  Am I really equipped to raise them?  With God’s grace, I can do it.  I just hope I can do a good job.

“The first  time her laughter unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same.”

Oh my sweet daughter.  There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of your laughter.  Even better, I heard it first.  Usually it’s your father who makes all the babies laugh first in our home.  This time it was me.  Okay, really it was the fan, but you were in my arms, and you belly laughed for me over and over.  I hope your laugh stays the same, always inviting others to share in the fun.  I love you so much!

All smiles!

And the outfit!

If I were doing ApeDonkey’s power ratings, I would have a lot in the bottom five…When you start the week with your orthodontist hanging up on you, your son’s favorite (for now) College basketball team playing so badly it goes down in the history books for worst performance in the NCAA championship game, things can only go up.  Right?

Wrong.

There was also that argument with Lance, not to post our business, but I wanted to go to the game, he didn’t.  I do find it funny that my dad knew I was slightly upset and sent a text saying “be nice”.  I wanted to write back, “I’m your daughter!”

Then there was the fourth round of lice found in Goose’s first grade class.  And the best part: the school did nothing to notify any parents.  AGAIN.  The nurse checked the class yesterday and one kid went sprinting down the hall telling everyone he could leave because he had lice.  Nice.  I know lice isn’t dangerous, just super icky and really difficult to get rid of.  As I’ve said before, I have a nightmare about getting lice and having to shave my head.  Then add the fact that I have five kids, and I’m freaking out.  I wouldn’t even know about the lice if not for the fact that my friend told me after complaining that her daughter caught it.  Her daughter also told her about yesterday’s lice check.  Thank goodness for little girls because it would have never occurred to Goose to tell me.  And why should he?  Shouldn’t the school be the ones to tell us???

This morning, I went and complained, and my friend complained again.  And then a couple of others complained.  And finally, they decided to clean the carpets, remove the beanbags and take other precautions in the classroom.  The note I wrote to the teacher about the situation, well, her response was as useful as always.  She told me to discuss it with the Assistant Principal.  So march over to her I did.  She says she hadn’t been informed about any of this until today.  Except that the room was cleaned again for lice over Spring Break, so how did that happen?  And what about the fact that my friend called and a meeting was set up to discuss the situation?  Now it’s the nurses fault and again, the only reason I know anything is because a few of us complained and they answered our direct questions today.  Nothing came home in their folders and no, they aren’t trying to Be Green, there weren’t any emails either.  This is utterly frustrating.

Then there is the Baby Hulk.  I love this kid with all my heart, truly I do.  The look in his eyes makes my heart melt, his smile is infectious, when I hear him read, my heart swells with pride and joy and he cares so much about his siblings.  But, he can make me go mad like no other child.  Well, maybe one, he is much like Squirt in some respects.  Interesting that the things Squirt did to annoy me are things that BH does to annoy me.  It’s kind of like God said, “you had your chance, you blew it and weren’t patient, so here you go, try again.”

He is the sweetest kid, but so overly emotional, and I just don’t do emotional well.  AT. ALL.  Or whiny, and whiny he is.  He is the kid that doesn’t get his way and starts tap dancing or running in place and wailing.  (I hear him now brushing his teeth and wailing because his brothers left the room.)  Tuesday, he got in trouble for scratching Goose in the face and leaving a scar.  Wednesday he got in trouble for losing his shit over a banana breaking in half.  I already had lunch plans and told him that he had better behave or he would lose his playdate for the following afternoon.  What happened?  He got mad because he didn’t have a basket of chips to himself at Pappasitos and then took it a step further by throwing a tortilla across the restaurant when No David touched it.  You can laugh all you want, but I’d like to point out that once Squirt got so mad that he threw a book across the room in class.  That was in 8th grade.  The Baby Hulk HAS to learn to control himself.  Or I might find him a daycare.

I also got a form letter from my OB this week.  She is leaving Houston.  I can’t explain how sad this makes me.  I’ve been through a lot with my OB…all my births and miscarriages.  Anyone in my shoes would be obsessed.  I talked to her nurse who told me to call my doctor soon to try and make plans.  SO, I am sending a text to ask if she wants to get together for lunch.  I figure a text won’t be as awkward as a phone call.  It’s my last chance to have a date with my doctor.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

So enough bitching…the good…

I have prayed more this week than ever and read some amazing quotes from the Saints.  If only I were so smart all the time!  Seriously, I am truly blessed and despite getting frustrated at times, okay, a lot, my family is just incredible.  Even when tossing tortillas across the room.

To give examples of how awesome they are: Squirt came to me last night to talk about girls.  (Another post coming.)  Goose told me he missed our reading time.  The Baby Hulk and No David are bursting with smiles today.  They’ve not been perfect, but when corrected, they listen and move on.  Which allows me to move on.  And Baby Z, she is an angel, the best dressed angel around.

I met Jenn from When in Doubt, Add More Salt.  This was great, except for the cake balls.  Okay, they were great too, I just have a big problem with a lack of control!  Dare I admit how many are left?  I’ve never had cake balls before yesterday and they were so awesome.  Red Velvet cake balls.  So. Flipping. Good.  I had a great lunch and was able to meet an Internet friend in real life.  Plus, she has the most adorable little boy.  I see more cake balls in my future with playdates for the kids!

I like wine, but I don’t know anything about it.  Generally speaking, I wouldn’t know a $15 bottle from a $50 bottle.  Until now.  I blame Frank for this.  He even has Lance sipping a red wine.  ZD’s Cabernet is unreal.  And forty bucks at Specs.  Last week, Lance also purchased their Chardonnay. Again, unreal.  There is a bottle in the kitchen right now.  Lance is out of town, I feel like I should be able to drown my sorrows tonight and drink some forty dollar wine.

I went to Costco today and spent way more than I wanted to spend.  Our family is the size of family that needs Costco, but since we all seem to have a problem with portion control, Costco doesn’t always work to my financial advantage.  After finding a cheap bottle of wine for tonight, I also grabbed a cake I’ve been eying for some time.  Since the cake balls are long gone, I need something new.  I thought I would treat the boys, then freeze the rest.  Except when I ate a piece, in the store parking lot while telling the kids to SIT in their car seats, I decided I didn’t like it because it was dry.  That was fine though because I also bought two loaves of bread while there.  And some goat cheese covered in blueberries.  I have literally gone to heaven.  I did wait to try the goat cheese at home, not the bread.  Seriously, this stuff is like crack.  (I highly recommend the one covered in cranberries as well.)  I finally had to put it away because I had already told Lance about it and he would be expecting some tomorrow night.

And last for the week…a photo!

I admit Baby Z doesn't look the greatest, and I so need to pump some milk, BUT...the outfit! Cute! And my beautiful painting is in the background. She really is the light!

I swear…my orthodontist hung up on me today.  I am not kidding.

This is the same person I talked about a couple of months ago that cancelled Squirt’s appointment because he needed a solo appointment.  (SUPER CREEPY.)  I know my parents were proud that I refused to allow Squirt to attend any appointment like that alone.  Then after finally rescheduling, they cancelled again due to the ortho being sick.  Understandable.  We finally set another appointment for today at 4:30.  The ortho even called on Saturday to give me crap because Lance had never called him back.  Despite the fact that the message from the orthodontist himself said “don’t call back if you can make this time.”  Totally true, he was rude when he called me.

Today, I got a call from the office saying we needed to come in an hour later.  And I said something about this being the third time they were changing things.  I wasn’t rude.  Promise.  I know when I’m a bitch, and today wasn’t one of those days.  And you might be thinking, you seem kind of bitchy, do you really know if you were a bitch to the receptionist.  The answer is: I wasn’t a bitch.  And now, I wish I would have been one.

Because she is apparently so thin skinned that she couldn’t handle the fact that I pointed out three changed or cancelled appointments and tattled to her boss.  He in turn called me back and started arguing about the fact that he told “my husband” that he had jury duty today.  And when I finally said that I didn’t need him to call and argue the fact, he hung up on me.  So not kidding.

So where are we now?  Well, I’ve already paid the damn guy the entire balance.  Great move, it seems.  I don’t want to return until he calls and apologizes. Lance thinks I questioned him when I wondered out loud if he was going to say something about “hanging up on his wife.”  This led to some serious texting back and forth.

Oh and…I was late to spin so I missed that class, my burger date got messed up AND…my husband decided it was too late for Goose to attend the game tonight, so we’re not going to the game.  GREAT.  FREAKING. MONDAY.

For Today…April 3, 2011

Outside my window…it’s dark.  It’s starting to feel like Houston.

I’m wearing…Snoopy boxers and a Longhorn t-shirt.

I am listening to…silence.  Everyone is in bed, Lance is working on a blog post and I’m enjoying this time.

I’m grateful for…the opportunity to visit with a dear friend I don’t see often enough while my teenage son spends time with her teenage son, my amazing kids who make me smile, The BH who is truly teaching me how to be patient, (such a LONG process), new bedding for a baby girl, adorable baby clothes, my mom who pulled out my gray hairs because I asked all the while telling me I barely had any, (and there was no lice either!),  a young lady who comes to visit me and the kids, a boy who LOVES sports, the fact that Butler won and we were there.

I am praying…that I can be the wife and mother I am meant to be.

Around the house…we need to figure out sleeping arrangements.  Baby Z needs a room outside of mine.  She started napping in the crib over the weekend and loves it.  So where to put her?  With the boys or the playroom.  Quite frankly, No David is the one who needs to be alone at night.

On keeping home…I really love to clean, I do it all myself, but I admit that it is getting harder with this many kids.  I’m sure once I’m sleeping it will get better.  Most people wouldn’t think my house is messy, but I have to get over the fact that I don’t have time to dust twice a week anymore.

From the kitchen…no menu planned.  Can I give up sweets now?  Is it too late?

To be fit and happy…I had the best week working out and then Friday on my first squat, my knee buckled.  I could have died.  I haven’t tested things out this weekend, but bad knees probably aren’t a good thing for working out.  Hoping it’s better tomorrow.

From the learning rooms…we’re sticking with S week.  We did a lot last week, but we also had three days of fun.  This week will be more hands on learning about the five senses.

I am hoping and I’ll admit I’m praying…Butler wins tomorrow night.

One of my favorite things…watching No David at this stage.  This kid is so darn cute, but so mischievous.  He is the stereotypical boy, his eyes tell you all you need to know about him.  And while he keeps me on my toes all day from keeping him out of things, to trying to balance his diet, to handing some epic tantrums, my heart melts when I hear him say, “hi mommy!”

A few plans for the week…the Tournament finals, meeting people for burgers, meeting for cake balls, a day at the park, a trip to the post office and I’m sure so much more.

A picture thought I’m sharing…

I love this shot...listening to the players being introduced.

Here are five things I learned this week:

• I’m not very good about being selfless.  It’s the first Friday of the month, and I planned to attend Mass this morning.  I am really into attending Mass on First Fridays, and was excited that Baby Z was on her way to attending nine in a row.  Then Lance called and asked me to come see him this morning.  What to do?  I hate to admit it, but I had to really think about that one before going to see him.  The good news is that I didn’t say anything to him.  So good for me.  Right?
• The bad news, I showed later on that I really think it’s all about me.  A lot of the time.  The boys wanted to watch practice today so Lance was going to take them.  The Baby Hulk had an epic meltdown last night.  He cried hysterically for an hour.  I lost my temper about thirty minutes into it.  After an hour and half, he told me that “I helped kill Jesus with my bad temper.”  Then told me he helped do the same by screaming.  I could handle that, but I decided I had had enough of the Baby Hulk and didn’t want to attend practice today.  Lance thought otherwise and requested that we go as a family.  I went and even told him that I was sacrificing because I had other things I wanted to do and would really enjoy some time alone with Baby Z.  He thanked me and all was good.  I even told him not to thank me, that I was only pointing out my selflessness as proof of my growth.  (ha!)  EXCEPT, practice was SO BORING.  Even when Shelvin Mack waved at Goose, I couldn’t get excited.  Although that could have been because Goose got super shy and acted super creepy about it.  I think I complained for at least 40 minutes about the whole thing.  Finally, Lance told me that I lost any grace I had obtained by going with the family due to my complaining.
• Five seems like a lot to some people.  We got looks today and someone even asked if all the kids were mine.  Did they think we picked up some on the way?
• Normally, I complain that the kids don’t take me seriously.  I realize that I just didn’t have the right incentive.  Last week I told Goose if he came home with another paper with his name missing or bad handwriting, he would miss the games this weekend.  Not lying, the kid made 100’s and had perfect writing all week long.
• I read a lot of blogs, mostly mommy, Catholic blogs.  I admit my blog isn’t super Catholic, I don’t give advice, write about spirituality and I cuss a lot.  But I love my Faith and sharing it with my kids and reading what others are doing.  That said: I’ve decided I am not a fan of the convert, Catholic mommy blogger.  They have a ton of followers and write long meandering posts about this and that.  And the entire time, I keep thinking about their past.  Which not to throw stones, but it’s me, so I am, puts my past to shame.  Maybe I’m jealous because these women have a ton of followers, seem to have a good handle on their Faith, and I’m still struggling with the same bad habit year after year.  I can’t put my finger on it, maybe it’s the judgmental person in me, but I think I need to stay away from those blogs.

To sum up my week in learning, I’ve got a long way to go.  It would seem I’ll be confessing once again how judgmental I am and how mean a mom I am.  Will I ever learn?

I almost forgot the most important thing:  The Houston Press had a great article about 1560.  I have to say that I am so proud of these guys.  They went from a sports giant of a station and opened something brand new.  It’s been a difficult road opening something new, basically starting from scratch.  My husband went from the highest rated show to a show where the signal has problems.  Still.  There are still times when someone says to us, “where did you go”.  It can be frustrating to hear that after more than three years.  But they continue to have the best show around and the rest of the lineup rocks too.  Keep up the great work, Baby!

Seriously, my baby has cried most of her waking hours today.  I’ve held her pretty much nonstop, which is fine until it’s time to cook.  Finally, at her last feeding, I decided to research how many ounces she should be eating.  Despite the fact that all babies are different, I thought I’d find a real answer for this.  I can dream.  I did however convince myself that she needs at least an extra half ounce in the evening.  Maybe this will help her sleep through the night.  updated to add: extra ounce did not help, still have dark circles under my eyes and am tired.

After working our asses off at spin, the teacher tells us that if we’re trying to lose weight and don’t see results, we need to look at what we’re eating.  Thanks for that tidbit.  Because I didn’t already know that eating two cupcakes yesterday was bad for the diet.

After having two cupcakes, I made Lance promise that no matter what, he can’t buy any sweets this week, including scones, until Saturday.  Really going all out, aren’t I?  (I sound like Squirt and his 80.)  Today at the store, I bought some Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, deciding that they don’t count as sweets.  (They’re low fat, and the box says they are only 2 weight watchers points, that’s not a sweet.)  I was at the store so long, I opened the package and started eating one.  Immediately No David asked for a bite, which I refused.  Immediately after my refusal, I dropped the damn thing.  So I got another one out and ate it.  updated to add: my will power sucks, Lance just gave me a scone.

Somehow me saying that I might be available to volunteer on a field trip turned into me saying yes.   I just realized that I haven’t done the background check for this year, so I guess I can’t go.

There’s a group on Twitter that will be trying new burger places each Monday.  I am so in, which may or may not be the reason why I might forget to even submit to a background check at Goose’s school.  I love my boy, but burgers win every time.

Are we bad parents if Goose leaves school early to attend basketball practice?  I didn’t think so either.

Lance had a bet with a guy that has been a slight a-hole in the past.  They bet 100 bucks, and the guy lost.  Obviously.  Lance asked him to send a check to a specific charity.  Of course, the a-hole has conveniently forgotten the charity more than once.  Lance was going to say something on his blog about it, (he’s feeling so empowered after the shit with Lev), but I insisted that he take the high road.  Since the guy doesn’t read my blog, I don’t have to do the same.  Pay up A-hole.

We are taking Goose the games this weekend and every time the Baby Hulk hears me talk about it, he says, “and me, you always forget you are taking me.”  Actually, we don’t have an extra ticket.  Starting to feel really bad.

In an effort to make it to school on time, I have promised myself that if we are running late, my bed doesn’t get made or I don’t wash the bottle/pumping supplies until I get back home.  The other day, Lance walked in and saw the bed unmade, and he who never makes a bed, made a freaking comment.  Instead of say, just making the damn bed!

And last, as Chelsea reminded me today…one month until her birthday.  She turns 21!

I’m behind another day..she so needs to start sleeping through the night.  Come on, Baby Z!!

For Today…Monday, March 28, 2011

Outside my window…it’s kind of cool and overcast today.  So nice after the humidity of this past weekend.  I didn’t have time to dress the baby this morning before school, and it’s a good thing because she would have been cold.

I’m listening to…a very quiet house.  The baby is sleeping and the boys are all working on school.  Even No David!

Speaking of No David…he just completed his first set of pattern blocks!  Now if only he could tell me his letters.  I know he’s only 2, but his work ethic is somewhat lacking.  I can already tell.  Not really, BUT, he is the kid from Parenthood, you know the one who butts his head against the wall with a bucket on his head.  He is fearless and just wants to have fun all the time.  That and eat.

I am wearing…my gym clothes, still.  Black shorts and a blue Nike shirt.  I so need to take a shower, but at this point in the day I might as well wait until tonight.

I am grateful for…a husband who spent the day with me as well as made a list for me, his OCD wife.

I am praying…that I don’t lose my patience.  I hate poor work and stupid, careless mistakes.  HATE THEM.  Squirt turned in a project, and I swear he told Lance that he probably made an 80 on it.  Really???  You worked to get an 80?  There are no nice words for that one so I left it alone.  Meanwhile, Goose’s 100 streak on spelling tests goes down and down.  Why?  Bad handwriting that even I, hater of schools, can’t argue with and forgetting to write his name on his test.  MORE THAN ONCE.  How do you forget to write your name on a paper?  Over and over again.

I wish…I were the type of mom that could handle B’s, but I’m not.  Especially when the effort is lackluster.  So I am trying to at least remain calm, at least on the outside.

Around the house…we’re up 25 bags of stuff.  And no, it’s not just coming from the attic.  Lance and I have both gone through our closets and found a lot to donate despite the fact that we regularly do this, and he lost weight last year and donated a bunch then.  I asked Squirt for his clothes and he came to me with two shirts.  Lance took over and we got a full bag from him too.  I LOVE getting rid of stuff.

Speaking of Squirt…someone needs some new Longhorn shirts soon.  He is growing like a weed.

From the kitchen…I need to plan better, when we don’t plan, our meals stink.  No one is excited about what we’re eating, and it’s easy to justify eating poorly.  This week we have our meals planned.  Now to stick to the plan.

From the learning rooms…we’re on S week, talking about the Five Senses for science.  We’ve started Singapore Math and continue with phonics and improved reading.  We’re getting ready to start some very light language arts, only because I don’t know how to properly explain sentence punctuation.  S is for Snoopy, Strawberry Shakes, Scones and Skipping School. Did I just type that?

To be fit and happy…I’m fit, but not happy with any progress or really the lack of progress.  If one more person tells me I’m older this time around, I might puke.  Like I don’t already know that.  At least, I’m happy when I workout and happy when I eat!

I am hoping…that my Lent continues along a positive path.

One of my favorite things…the boys watching the tournament.

A few plans for the week…the gym, swim lessons, play date at Chick-fil-A, which is now ruining my date for hamburgers, the zoo, possibly Bracket Town, basketball practice, showing off Baby Z to one of my friends moms, Final Four games, and a movie date with Squirt.

In an attempt to post this I am acting like it’s still Monday and not posting pictures today.