Happy Easter!

Easter Egg hunt at Aunt Angie's; Connor found an egg!

Connor loved hunting for the treasures!

Olivia tried out her bubbles....nothing like getting a good taste of them!
Connor was very excited about his blue peeps!

I was excited to have my ritual egg-salad on toast for Easter breakfast!
Paul was excited that his coffee was brewing!
Olivia loved the Chocolate more than the egg hunt, a girl after my own heart!

The Night before Easter

The survivors of the 2 hour Easter Vigil!Anyone for a twirl before bedtime?
CHEESE!
Sitting on her nest of clothes that is left out for the Easter Bunny.
Posing on his nest of clothes for the Easter Bunny.

Rewind

Olivia playing with playdough.
Thursday night, Connor making up his own concoction. He wants to be the next Top Chef.
Animal Crackers, green beans, raisins, oatmeal, and a lot of oregano, paprika, and italian seasoning....he did a taste-test and didn't like it so much.
Olivia cheesing it up again....(oops bit of red eye again)

Whoa! Where did this past week go? I kept on wanting to blog and there was no time and I waited and waited and now I can finally sit down and blog while the boys watch Spiderman 3.

Sunday: Connor woke us up early to hunt for his easter basket, we convinced him to wait until his sister was awake. We went over to Angie and Chris' for Easter Lunch and then hung out.
Monday: Connor went back to school. Olivia played with play-dough for the first time!
Tuesday: Went grocery shopping, organized the pantry, while Connor and Paul sanded the walls. The kids and I walked around the neighborhood, I went to RCIA and now I'm known as a neophyte!
Wednesday: Paul cleaned the sanded walls. The kids and I again walked around the neighborhood
Thursday: It snowed? Paul painted the west walls of the toy room. We went to Connor's Kindergarten parents meeting and talked about registering, etc. I've already started writing on my calendar for next fall! School starts August 18th.
Friday: I worked, Connor and Olivia went to Chuck E Cheese's with Grandma and Grandpa Roberts.
Today: We cleaned, I went to Archivers, went to church, made my family chicken and eggplant parmegiano.....and now I get to blog!

My Faith Journey

Today, I participated in three new sacraments of the Catholic Church; Confession, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.

These sacraments aren't really new to me, I've known of these in the church ever since I was confirmed in Jr. High. I've participated in them throughout my years since. Never were they recognized as sacraments, but big faith events in my life.

Today is special because I start a new chapter in my faith journey as a Catholic.

Thanks to my wonderful parents, I've always known the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I was baptized as a baby. Ever since I can remember (maybe around 4-5 yrs), I've had a prayerful life; first it started with prayer before dinner. Then it was prayers before my fake dinners while I played.

The first prayer I remember kneeling and asking for help was when I was about 8 years old. There was an uncontrollable ditch fire that Mom was attending to and she was running the hose at it....I ran into my room kneeled at my bed and prayed with all my might that the fire wouldn't rush down to the neighbors and hurt them and prayed that Mom would be able to get it out.....She Did! My prayers were answered!

This started a whole new communication with the Lord that has grown deeper as I have grown older. It started out just chatting and talking with him before bedtime and now probably since High School has it been more reciprocal.

The First United Church of Christ, Pleasant Valley has been my home church since I was born. I was baptized there, went to Sunday School, Bible School, had my First Communion, was Confirmed, taught Bible School.........attended many Sundays there as well as Weddings and funerals.

Pleasant Valley Church is unique in that my ancestors actually partook in building the foundation of the church. Way back when before the building was erected, the Minister would ride horse and carriage to one household where families would gather to have service. I believe it was my Great-great grandpa Weinberg or Wedeking????? Georg (he was German) that participated in these services and helped build the church when they outgrew each other's homes........My history may be a bit inaccurate but you get the gist, right? Not only have I had a great Christian foundation from this church, I literally had an ancestral foundation as well.

I've always kept that Christian faith, along with scriptures, with me. My Mother has been a big influence, she's one of the most faith-filled women that I know. She has graced me with messages that have kept me on my path throughout my life. My Father has also graced me with guidance and deep ponderings to keep me thinking.

College, I searched here and there and everywhere. Did a bit of Lutheran, Open Bible, etc....it all made sense to me, but I just couldn't pinpoint a home. So that is when my prayer life was more abundant than my church-goings. At the end of my college years I did find a nice group of friends and fellowship with the Vineyard...I liked the contemporary style at the time, I witnessed miracles that were happening in my life. The summer before I graduated I had probably had 50$ to my name, living on my own, living on cream of wheat daily for all three meals, didn't want to bother Mom and Dad for money and so I prayed and prayed for courage to search for a job and the first job that I wanted I got and many blessings I received from that job as a Student nurse technician. Again, lots of prayers went out when I wanted this job At Iowa Lutheran, and again, immediately landed the job!

My first year in Des Moines I was dating a guy who was emotionally and verbally abusive. He was catholic and forced me to take communion at his church told me that I had no choice I was to convert to Catholicism. Well after he punched his hand through a door, I walked right out the door and thought THOSE CATHOLICS ARE ARROGANT and SELF-RIGHTEOUS JERKS!

Ironic wouldn't it be that a month and a half later I meet Paul and then a few weeks into getting to know one another, he was catholic! There I had an epiphany...that old arrogant guy was no Christian at all, and I just generalized his personality into the catholic category. Paul showed me what true Christianity is through the Catholic eyes......plus he introduced me to the most gracious people in his life (that are Catholic); his friends and family which reconfirmed to me that God does surround me with good people.

So as you all know how the story goes, Paul & I got engaged, had a baby, got married.....yeah, not the way we planned it either but Connor has been a big blessing in our life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Had another blessing, Olivia....then I was riding the fence wondering what to do and really Connor helped me make a decision to convert into Catholic religion. He was getting to the age of questions and I'd answer them but was conscientious in making sure I was correct in teaching him.....so I had questions re: Catholic religion ......the other reason is that I wanted our family to go to church as a unit, we started going to St. Mary of Nazareth (Paul's home church, which is such a welcoming and great church) then I was tired of not receiving Communion, I believed everything that the parishioners did and I wanted to receive Jesus body and blood as well.........after I was sprinkled with Holy Water last year at Easter Service, (a huge splash on the forearm!) I knew I wanted to start the RCIA process.....and here I am......throughout the journey it has been a closer walk with the Lord......The Catholic church believes in everything that I believe in and just reconfirmed my faith and then there were bonuses......I found a love in the Rosary and talking to Our Blessed Mother, new prayers, all these Saints! Many blessings have been received during the process, Connor learned the rosary and the meaning of the Eucharist, Paul's Mom is excited that I brought Paul back to church! I was granted patience & preserverence as a clinical instructor.....well, at least I didn't give up in the middle of it. and now I've been asking pt.'s (especially our really sick ones) more about their spiritual health and ask them if I can pray for them

My thanks to all of you for your wishes and prayers......my plans are to help be that teacher for Connor & Olivia, but teach gingerly as my mother did....not to push or scare or rush....but to shower them with messages that may grace their life. I continue to walk with the Lord and maybe walk right on home and meet him some day!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Hallelujah! He Has Risen!

EGGSTRAVAGANZA!

Easter Eggs!

Olivia was actually awake this year to participate in the activities......
Marin wouldn't go to sleep, she was afraid she'd miss something.
Busy at it! Note: Connor chose underwear to be his choice of dying clothes today! I hear those June 9th babies like that sort of thing! (ahem.....Brett!)
Olivia had a good time rearranging the eggs while they were drying. Her hands were a bit colored and a few eggs were cracked in the process. The kids also broke out into some piano playing and bootie shaking.....darn, I didn't have my camera available for that!

Photos of the week!

The kids saw the Easter Bunny yesterday. Olivia didn't cry but was very weary of the big Animal. Connor told me that he wasn't the real Easter Bunny, just someone dressed up in a costume....so, I explained that he was the Easter Bunny's helper...(Boy, nothing gets past him!)

It was cute, Olivia was excited to see the bunny at a distance and called him, "Eather Bunny!"

The kids took a train ride afterwards and Olivia sat the whole ride and enjoyed it even if her face didn't express it. They got to ride in the car that dings the bell so Olivia held onto the string while Connor dinged the bell.......they were so cute together!

Tatum was just too exhausted to finish this puzzle!

Olivia was taking Connor's temperature. He liked being the pt. and she liked being the care-giver.

It was a bit too quiet, so I checked on Olivia to see what she was up to...playing with the "toiley" Thank goodness it was only the paper and not the toilet! Here she looks so guilty of her behavior.

I couldn't scold her, I just ran and got the camera.....anyways I bet it is a lot of fun playing with a streamer of paper!

Wanna try it Mom?

Other events that took place so far this week:

• Olivia and I had a nice birthday lunch with Karen and Tanja at Hu Hot (for Karen's Birthday)
• Connor and Emory had a good time playing Transformers
• Olivia had her 18th month appointment, she gained a pound, didn't grow any and her head grew a cm, and a new antibiotic was ordered because her ears still had fluid build up.
• Olivia says "bess you" when you sneeze
• Connor buckled himself in the car for the first time (that means only one child to buckle!)
• Paul painted the south wall of the toy room and dry walled around the sewer pipe
• I saw a Robin and three flies this week!

Seek and Ye shall find!

All the women folk and a few rare men out there will be able to understand me on this one.
You know when you ask a person (usually of male gender) to find a certain thing and you know that it is there and they come back and say they can't find it. Then when you go and dig a bit deeper, you're able to find it....well, Connor today told me the explanation of why he couldn't find one of his toys......"Mom, my hands don't have eyes."
AHA, I get it! So women have this innate trait/ability to find something with their eyes AND hands...and the men who have not donned this trait just look with their eyes because their hands do not have eyes.....makes sense to me!
Maybe if we can pass this trait on to the men, slowly in the next few generations the male gender will be able to coordinate their eyes and hands to search for something! I may not be alive to see this, but maybe my grand kids someday.......
Happy searching!

Wearin' O' the Green!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday

Aunt Cindy (a day late)!

Hope that you had a wonderful Birthday!

You deserve the very best!

Winter Picnic

We gathered at Grandma & Grandpa Roberts house today for a winter picnic. We roasted wieners and s'mores at the fire place. Grilled Hamburgers on the grill and ate summer fruits and salads!

Michelle roasting her hotdog just how she likes it!
The kids pinicking indoors.
Marin loves to play with Connor and vice versa!
Roasting the marshmallows for S'mores.

Let's go Bowling!

It was time to celebrate Connor's good preschool performance, so the family went bowling. We asked Aunt Angie and Uncle Chris and Marin to come and join in on the fun. Connor bowled four games straight. All the girls bowled one game and Paul & Chris bowled 2 competitive games......not even sure who won, we had fun getting together.

Olivia's first time bowling, she loved pushing the ball down the ramp!
What a form!
Great release!
Hey Cutie Marin!
Olivia was getting tired, so she took a rest on the bowling alley floor! Not one of my desired places of rest but oh well!

1st Sign of Spring!

It's the simple pleasures in life............seeing these daffodil greens pop through the flower bed really made my day yesterday......I had a great sense of joy seeing the color green!

Ode to My Brother!

Yesterday was my brother Bryan's birthday. I don't know if I can reveal his age, but he is 10 years older than I am. So on my car ride to work, I was thinking of my big bro.....and here is what I know about Bryan;

1. He has the best memory ever! (Dates & years come easily to him)
2. If I ever want to know about my birth story, I just ask him!
3. He reminds me of a teddy bear.
4. He is a very hard worker and great work ethics!
5. He is sensitive and sentimental.
6. No one is a stranger to Bryan, he knows everyone!
7. I really believed that on our trip to Colorado that his snoring would keep the bears away while we were camping! I really did feel safe! (I was in 3rd grade).
8. He's funny!
9. He's a great Daddy!
10. He has developed a strong thumb from text-messaging!
11. If I ever want to get caught up on "Days of Our Lives" I just ask him!
12. He Cleans! Always been a cleaning guy!
13. He's a great DANCER...we love to get our polka in at any dancing event!
14. He doesn't like crickets, bees, or peanut butter.
15. He loves left overs and second helpings!
16. I get my temper from him...hee-hee!
17. He loves to tease!
18. He calls me "Marie"
19. He'll take his shirt off for anyone and help them out in need.
20. He has big time courage and he is my hero and I love him.

p.s. I will now have to do Ode's to my other brother/sisters some time so they know that I love them all as well!

p.p.s. Bryan if you're reading this, grab a tissue and wipe that tear!

We Promote Creativity!

Miss Olivia all dolled up in her skirt, "puss," sunglasses, and wand...she's ready for a day's outing!
Connor got home from Preschool and stripped down to this outfit....Here is his ad lib Spiderman outfit while the other one is in the wash!

Starting to Feel Like Spring

We dusted off the Hot Wheels and Firetruck and the kids rode them Tues. eve with Grandma and Grandpa, yesterday twice with me and then with Grandma....Good Exercise!

It was Olivia's first time out scooting on the firetruck...she loved it....she looked so cute pumping those little legs. The kids rode around the corner and back...We're building up endurance to make it to Lion's Park and back!

Connor is a speed demon, he's ready to try the upright bike!
Olivia's First time scooting!
I tried to get a picture of the two of them but Olivia just kept scooting and Connor was trying to hold on to her for a pic op.

• Yesterday, Connor decided he was going to play the "Dirtiest Job" and was playing in the mud and offering us mud cakes....When he was finished his gloves were mud cakes, had to hose them down and nearly had to hose him down. A change of clothes and he was a brand new boy!

• Ever since we have cable, Connor loves the Discovery channel and loves to watch "How it's made," "Dirtiest Job," & "Myth Busters." His other loves are "Funniest Home Videos" and "Zach and Cody's Suite Life" Okay do we see a trend here? a little too much tv for the guy...Thank goodness, we can go out now and get some fresh air and exercise!

• So last night at work, I felt obligated to help out since I was sick 2 weeks prior. So I worked until 3 am. Boy am I getting old! I just can't handle those hours.....you know who my real hero was during this whole ordeal? Michelle, my mother-in-law, she stayed over at our house and slept on the couch and with Connor intermittently until I got home. I owe my paycheck to her! Thanks Michelle, I love you! I owe you BIG time!

Netti Pot Novice

Okay, so I have a new thing....it's called the Netti Pot (no, it is not an illegal drug) a co-worker talked me into it. I've been having bad sinus problems...really it feels like there is cement in my sinuses, causing headaches, neck aches, pressure in the face, post nasal drip...okay, okay you get it......

She told me that she started to use the Netti Pot on her son and herself because they too have awful sinus problems. The Netti Pot was also featured on Oprah not too long ago (so if Oprah is up to it then why not us?) I guess she mentioned the Netti Pot to her EENT and he was all for it (especially since Oprah is for it too!hee-hee) Good for allergies (yep, that's me), sinus infections (yep, that's me), sinus discomfort with pregnancy (why didn't I know about that when I was pregnant?)......

So I went to the local Walgreen's and purchased my Netti Pot.....funny looking thing. Reminds me of Florence Nightingale's Lamp with a spout at the end. So, I filled this pot up with warm water and added the sodium and bicarb to it and held the spout to my snout and poured and tipped my head.........the weirdest thing happened. I felt a warm sensation in the front of my head and then out it poured from the other nare. Then repeat other side! Okay, a little bit of a feeling that I get when water is in my nose at the swimming pool but not so much burning. I've just done it twice now and it's helped my sinuses temporarily...I'm waiting for the great cure!

P.s. never let your spouse or children see you do this procedure...this is one of those things you do in privacy. I repeat, do not let them see you....I lock the doors, would hate to freak them out!

An Addendum to Frazzled

Well, I'm feeling much better....just had to process through it all. Did my soul searching....first I did my soul defeating, then I searched and am back into feeling confident again. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers along the way. I think it didn't help that all last week, I was either throwing up, feeling nauseated and not eating, or having the sinus junk and felt so exhausted physically that it didn't help matters.

This weekend, I cleaned the house, rearranged the living room...so now I've been cleaning and rearranging the soul.........I've decided to dust off that emotional armor and place it back on when those students start to defeat me.....they shouldn't win this battle that they don't even know they were winning.

So, how 'bout that weather? I actually had the feeling of hope for spring and that it is on its way. We are planning to take a walk tomorrow if it's really nice out.

Today, I took Miss O to the Dr. She hasn't been eating, woke up early Sunday screaming and crying and hard to console her and has been snugly.....now when she's snugly and stays on our laps longer than 3 minutes there is something the matter with her....and there was right ear infection and herpangina again.......basically an enterovirus that causes redness, pain and blisters in the mouth and "exanthum" rash on the tummy...my poor baby...she looked so sad today. She tried to play but wasn't very motivated......I really loved rocking her and singing to her today....it's been since she was a few months old that I was able to do that......................................

Frazzled!

Well, I've been a little bit frazzled lately. I've been so distracted with these darned student appeals......it's really made me do some soul searching.

The first student basically accused me of inaccurate things, put much of her failure into blaming me, and misinterpreted all that I did or said during clinical. Yah, that made me feel real good......I kept on thinking..this is how she is coping, this is her defense mechanism....but man, how bad can I feel? Never in my life have I been so terribly put down, and with what I feel are my God given talents and skills: Nursing and being a positive role model.

I understand that I'm learning different skills and strategies in the education arena and that I know I will better myself as I go along...but she wasn't helping with any encouragement to be a nursing educator.

The second student was not accusatory and it was refreshing. She was very mature and objective. She admits that she was having communication issues. I agree there were many barriers to communication with her. It takes two to have a reciprocal conversation. It also takes a student to talk with the instructor so that I could evaluate her performance and critical thinking.

As far as I know, I think she's going to take this a different way and try to restart the whole class. She failed the theory and clinical both. I told her that I would write a letter in support of the communication break-down and would encourage her to have a restart if she can work on her communication skills and to put forth more effort in her studies.

So I haven't heard much where we are at anymore. I know the first student went to the Director of Nursing Education, and the next step was the Dean, but I'm unsure if that was pursued.

So just waiting is killing me........I'm killing me with my thoughts. I can be my worst critic, so now that I have someone doing it more than me, I smell the competition and am being my own worst enemy. Yeah, I know these thoughts are not good, but that's how I have to process it. I just pray that this processing will go fast......if any of you want to throw out some prayers for me, I'm all for it....I'm looking for inner peace, patience, and confidence............thanks all.

St. Frances of De Sales' prayer has been helping me too....if any of you are familiar with it.....basically he says that God has been with me through all the troubles that I have had in my life so far and he will always be there. He will give me strength to get through it or he will protect me....so must not have fear of tomorrow and do away with the imaginings........that's paraphrased and not quoted whatsoever......

This to shall pass, and I can't wait!

Goofballs!

Here's our little goofballs playing some sort of game that Connor was making up as they went along.......it reminded me of the sumo-wrestler outfits that people dress up into and bounce and bump into one another.....