Words to Live By.....

What I tell Kelsey when she gets frustrated about a new endeavor and wants to quit:Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?

What I tell myself and try to remember to live by:When you stop trying to change others and work on changing yourself, your world changes for the better.

When the sun comes up each day, be up and out with it.


Wise word my children have told me: Don't worry. It's all good. Let' have a popsicle.

Summer To Do List

Okay, so not everyone is super hip on summer these days with the thoughts of having to try to fill up our days with excitement and activity just to keep the boredom blues at bay and the kids from whining. However, Summers used to be restful, and hot, and relaxing, and dirty, and LAZY! listen to me carefully. IT IS OKAY NOT TO HAVE ANY BIG PLANS DURING THE SUMMER! Try slowing down. Relax a little and let your kids open their imaginations and find some good old fashioned fun. You remember the kind, lemonade stands, making puppet theatres and puppets for a show for the neighborhood kids, planting a garden, swimming or playing in the sprinkler all day until they they get hungry for fresh summer fruit then come inside to fail asleep on the floors in front of a great summer flick. They WILL NOT SHRIVEL UP AND DIE if they do not get a bath EVERY day.

While they are making a list of their own adventures in summer laziness, I just might try my hand at mine! Here are a ccouple links to some of the best ideas I have seen in a while for summer fun that does not cost much....and sort of reminds me of the pace of life depicted by a Countrytime Lemonade commercial from the '80's.

Happy Summer!

Summer ‘To Do’ List

Sundays Mornings are for Church...

I supose it all depends on how each person defines "their" church. We usually go to our parish church Sunday mornings, Christ the Redeemer. However, this Sunday, the kids woke up early, went outside to play, and had their own worship service.

We would have never made it to the parish on time after this mess, but I think it's okay to miss that church every now and then for some good old fashioned family time in God's creation to worship.

It was great quality time well spent. Todd and I are very blessed!

Just Keep Swimming

Well, we dance, we tried soccer - which we decided is not for us - and now we are doing the swim thing! SWIM! Kelsey wants to try EVERYTHING! She is now on swim team and on the 6 yr team. The Coles Crocs had their time trials yesterday. I was way more nervous than calm Kelsey over there. It was an insane and overwhelming event that lasted all day! This is not just a show up and watch your kid event. It is a full on, bring your tents, coolers, snacks, and any other unmentionables I might have not mentioned - just kidding. Really in truly, it is a total tailgating party for the swimmers. Yes, they are only in the water for approximately 5 minutes total, but it is the "most funnest 5 minutes ever~!" as Kelsey put it.

Sometimes, kids just surprise you!! We are so proud of her commitment and pride in her work - and yes, it has been ALOT of work. Happy swimming Kelsey!

Definitely a mother's Day to Remember!

The crazy world we live in nowadays! Is that a word? Anyhow, the last two months of school are absolutely crazy - I keep thinking someone will get sick or I will have a breakdown, and all will come to a screeching halt. Not so far! Thank God! In fact, at the risk of sounding my horn too soon, this Mother's Day has been the best one I have ever had! My children are well, I am well and not stressing, Todd is relaxed and no work issues have forced him to the phone or computer. It is also the first full day we have been home in over two months!

Today, I am celebrating! Celebrating being a Mom, having an incredible husband, having two very happy and active children, and most of all.... the family can now get messy and play again like we love to on the weekends. WE are celebrating!!

For Us Mommies (A Real Love Story)

A good friend of mine sent this in lieu of Mother's Day. Just had to share my laugh. Enjoy!

First scroll to the bottome and hit the Pause Button on my Playlist, then scroll up and hit Play on the video. So funny!

Now that I'm a Mom

While pondering upcoming Mother's Day and deciding what I can do for my mother, I also began thinking how being a Mom has changed me.

Now that I am a Mom....
I know the joy only a babies first smile can bring.
I understand the primal need to protect ones young.
I have experienced the sweet agony of nursing a sick baby through the night.
I have felt the fierce pride of a child's first words, first steps, first accomplishments.
I know what it meant to have your heart walking around outside your body.
I have silently wept for their pain.
I am more thankful for my relationship with my Husband then ever before.
Before I was a Mom, I didn't know how much work it was to be a Mother. Work of the best kind, work I love and am thankful for every day.
I’m so glad I get to be someones Mommy, I wouldn't change a thing

Playing Warhol