Thanks for the Faith

Last night, Connor and I had the honor of going to mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral and listening to the Bishop. What a great experience it was. We learned about the history of the cathedral and the diocese. The Bishop's homily was excellent; talking about how traditions and faith are passed on from one generation to the next. How is this done? From the number one teachers and the best teachers in our life; our parents.

I would like to take time out and thank you Mom and Dad for instilling faith into my life. Like the Bishop said, many trends will come and go and they are exciting. Many possessions will come and go in my life, even people. What will always remain? Faith. The faith that was instilled in me as a newborn and how it has grown and evolved into something greater today. I would expect that to continue as I go through life's experiences and learn more about Jesus and God's love.

God's love is deeper and wider than I'll ever know and it's a lifetime of learning and experiencing faith. I pray that I can do the same for my children that you have done for me. Thank you again for the best gift in my life.

Don't you just love the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky?

The Mystery of the Missing Scrapbook

Starring: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade

C-man saying his line (this post's title).

Dancing to Tchaikovsky's music.

Serious performer

Curtain Call!

I've decided I want to go back in time and re-do my music program.

All we did was sing.

These kids sang, played instruments, and danced.

Connor is very fortunate to have a passionate music teacher and

a stellar music program in his school.

In the Autumn Spirit

Our Festive Fall Display
Here's Jack himself
Jack
O' Lantern
(You suppose he's Irish?)

This is as close to touching the pumpkin as she can get.

(look at that face!)

You're right C-man, I do see some resemblance...
Both of you are missing your two front teeth.

The best supervisor of pumpkin carving by far!
Paul is the fastest carver of the midwest!

He uses his filet knife to get the job done.

Grossing out his sister with the innards.
(actually he corrected me and said it was pulp)

EYE see an ExEYEting pumpkin design.

We've got our eyes on you!

Miss Halloween herself!

Rest

I have found my self settling into a pattern the past two days. Wake up and get the kids ready. Have great intentions of doing yoga, cleaning, or possibly some school work. [emphasis on intentions] BUT, then I grab my iced tea with a lemon slice--because that's my new thing--and settle down into the love seat. I place my crocheted afghan on me because I'm cold and it feels so good to cuddle up. I read some books to Olivia and THEN; my eyes get heavy. She hops off my lap and plays on her magnadoodle, polly pockets, and princess cake buzzes like a bee from one toy to another. And my eyes get heavier. We grab glances of Zaboomafoo that has been DVR'd and talk about the cute animals. And my eyes get heavier and then I doze...not a deep doze...a I-can-hear-what's-going-on-but-can't-keep-my eyes-opened doze. And in the middle of this doze, I open a hard-to-open container, run to the fridge for a snack for Livi, and slip comfortably back into my dreamy doze. Then like a natural alarm goes off in my body, I jolt awake around 1100am and I'm up and ready for the rest of the day. But for those two hours, I can't shake the sleepiness.

I have justified it [made excuses for it]:

• The weather change
• Post-midterm exhaustion
• Staying up until 0200am
• Back pain and the medications I'm taking to treat it
• Dealing with stress

I have felt guilty about it:

• I'm not engaging with my child
• I'm not exercising
• I'm not cleaning
• I'm not paying attention to school

I have concerns about it:

• Am I shutting down?
• Will this continue?
• Will I want to resort to the bed and never get out? (okay, I'm watching too much Dr. Phil--can we say paranoid?)

Then I just embrace it because my 2-day, 2-hour doze pattern may be what the Lord intended for me. Yes, it encompasses all the justifications, guilt, and concerns. BUT, maybe I should let it be what it is.

It is what it is.

Collage Preview...

Sweet baby Evan from Heaven

pictures and designed by P.Roberts

Happy Anniversary Honey!

Seven years ago, I married the love of my life,

my friend,
my shoulder,
my balance,
my forever embrace...

Here's to many more years and many more memories!

Honey and Pumpkins & Pumpkins and Honeys

Miss-O's first horse ride; she loved riding with Daddy.
Hey thar pardner, how's the horse ride?

We ventured to a new pumpkin patch this year....

it was a beautiful. balmy October, but I'm not complaining!

My two pumpkins

My two honeys

C-man with Grandpa R.

The great pumpkin search is over, we found our perfect pumpkins!

A country girl at heart!

(Feeling the horse tail on her cheek)

Look out, this kid isn't kidding around....he butts the other goats but not the kids!

There's always time for Dancing...

Miss-O started dance classes in September and has really enjoyed them, even though she tells us she doesn't dance. At first I thought she just wasn't participating, but I found out that what dancing is to her is not what dance class has to offer. She does dance and we were able to watch her first observation day. It's great to watch O grow in her confidence. Preschool and dance class have been beneficial in this way. This little girl has music in her soul; she will serenade me in the grocery store or walking on the sidewalk. She sings songs about anything and everything. Once a beat of music turns on, she is twirling and doing her version of tap-dancing. Some day she'll be able to twirl and tap which I think is her perceived dancing, but now she is moving like animals; dancing to head, shoulders, knees & toes; and doing the hokey pokey and turning herself around...that's what it's all about.

Tuesday's child full of grace.

Stretching with her dance-mates.
Reach for those toes.
Look at that graceful hand point, she's a natural!

Time to dance in circles.

During tumbling, we caught her checking herself out in the mirror.

Miss-O you'll get to see the bar and mirror soon enough.

We just want you to have fun.

That is what I like about this dance company: no competition; good, clean dancing (no booty shaking or inappropriate moves for a 4 year old); dancing fundamentals, emphasis on fun!

Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of FIRE!

My mums are in full bloom!

They look good for only being a year old.

I love the colors that fall gives us.

Shooting Star

"Look Mom, a shooting star!"

Miss-O exclaims, looking out the car window.

It's 10:00 in the morning.

Blue Sky and hardly a cloud in sight.

"Where is the shooting star?" I ask.

"See Mom, right there in the sky. It's still shooting." O replies.

I look out the car window and see a plane with a jet-stream trailing behind.

I smile.

"Make a wish!" I say.

And that is why I live through my children's eyes, giving me a new perspective of life.