Happy Birthday to My Dear Friend

Today it is my friend Jennifer's birthday. She brought ME coffee. I kinda dropped the ball. I want to do something incredible for her, and so I offered to clean her house, which she refused. She is embarrassed about it. This is coming from my friend who accompanied me to the obgyn last Friday for my 2nd visit to to make certain that the babe inside me didn't have a heartbeat. I told her that our relationship had moved to the next level, and oh, we are so far beyond dust and toilet rings!

God Bless you Jennifer, Happy Birthday!

The Pleasure of Hard Work

After an emotionally draining weekend, and it was physically difficult too, this morning I headed out to the garden. I was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of hoeing the weeds and had a generally reluctant attitude - convincing myself that I'd only do it for 15 minutes and be done. Well, as I worked in the morning sun, which wasn't too hot - I became distinctly aware of all of my senses and through the discomfort of the work, I found blessing. First, the realization that this job was fleeting, and even deeper, that this time and place in my life is fleeting. I am after all, here alive and well and able to do the work. That isn't a guarantee, as we know - but often can't live with that reality and remain stable! So, I weeded. . . the whole garden. I was alone, it was therapeutic and the soil was warm, and alive. My garden is growing, the corn is up. . . so are the beans and peppers and lots of tomatoes. Ahh.

Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes

We have a child in heaven now. Baby Ray Michael stopped growing at 10 weeks, 3 days. The most consolation I have received was from my friend Jennifer who reminded me that I haven't "lost" a baby. He is just not where I expected him to be . . .

For all of you who have been at our side through this tumultuous week - thank you. I praise God for the gift of good friends and family. You are all in our prayers. We love you.

Life and the Campaign Trail

My sister Nicki and my niece Hanna arrived Wednesday night. Hanna spent the day with me and the kids while Nicki went to a training class. We awoke to a wet, cold morning - but all three kids tromped outside with me to plant my long awaited WaySide Gardens plants, ordered by mail. We got all of them in, without too much muddy laundry to follow.

Friday was bustling as we hoed the garden (thank you, thank you to my sister, who did most of it!!). We cleaned house, tidied up and then headed off to the swimming pool. Friday was a beautiful, sunny day. Friday night the kids went to see Kung Fu Panda with Nicki and Katrina, a wonderful young lady friend of ours. Kevin and I did our first precinct walking (technically driving - we were in our home precinct which is mostly homes with large lots and acreage). My mother arrived around 8pm in time for Nicki to skate out for a date. The kids were in bed and Kevin and I went out to Mojo's our local hang out for some hot wings and beer (I was drinking root beer, feeling really old considering the rest of the crowd at 10pm on a Friday night!).

Saturday was CultureFest in Brighton, and we'd arranged for volunteers to come help pass out helium balloons and wear Kevin Priola t-shirts. It was quite a success! If you were there, and you were helping, and you're reading this -thank you!!! My dad was in town for the day, so it was fantastic to spend the day with my mom, dad, and sister! We finished the evening at a Pig Roast, aptly title Hog Heaven. Our neighbors do this every year, and this was the 5th one. Delicious food, and over 100 people! I tasted a salad that I went back for 2 times (I passed up the amazing dessert table in order to have more salad!). My neighbor Caroline made it, and it is an Italian recipe for rice and vegetables. It sounds so simple - rice, ham, havarti cheese, vegetables in vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper. I've got to get the proportions! My mouth is watering ...

Sunday we went to church. Then we cleaned up again and prepped for a party. Nicki, the kids and I went to my cousin Lisa's graduation party for a while then headed home to our own BBQ. My mom drove as Kevin drove his precinct again. The purpose for this is to get out and meet the voters, hand out campaign literature and ask for yard sign commitments.

We hosted another campaign event, this time trying to get to know people in our House District 30. I expected 20, prepped for about 40, and fed over 50. We had a gorgeous display of potluck items. We really enjoyed getting to know everyone and talking a little local politics! My mom was the grill master and I couldn't have done it without her help, or my sister's!!!

Late Nights

I swore earlier in the evening that it was going to be an early bedtime, or at least an on-time, bed time. However, this phenomenon is occuring at our house - campaign life is taking over! Dear hubby and I are becoming office buddies. This is a fun endeavor and I try to be there with him while he's working . . . and help when he needs it. Once I get past the initial hump of 10 pm, then the time flies and I can really begin to enjoy the quiet rhythm of the house when the kiddos are sleeping. Amazing things can happen, like cleaning out one's inbox, or writing and publishing an article on YourHub or even editing lots and lots of pledge and thank you letters - all without interruption (with the exception of my rumbling stomach!) I don't understand how I was full and nauseated with a dash of heart burn an hour ago, and now I feel that I will surely die if I don't eat. Pregnancy mysteries!

Good News and Coffee!

I have a daily morning routine in which I check my email. Usually it is just to determine scheduling stuff, and to keep up with the news and friends. Today, however I got two important messages regarding special people whom my heart has been breaking for. So, my friend's sister, who was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and is 22 weeks pregnant got the news that the cancer is slow growing and treatable after her baby is born at full term!! Last week the news was looking so incredibly grim, as you can imagine how aweful the scenario could have been, and was feared to be by her doctors.

Our friend Wei-Hsien Wan who had to suddenly fly back to Malaysia to see his ailing mother, missed her by about 13 hours as she passed away before he arrived home. He was struggling with a bizarre immigration hiccup and when he left the country, he effectively terminated all chances for citizenship here in the US. An email from him this morning was a quick hello, but full of his usual charm and sense of humor - and that in itself helps me to know that he's going to be o.k. Praise God!

But I'm not tired!

So, we've been a little busy this weekend! So busy in fact, that dear hubby ended up in bed this afternoon - totally wiped out! Friday night his Catholic men's group had their last Familia meeting. They celebrated, as it was the last meeting after 4 years of study together and they've completed the program.

Saturday was filled with a non-traditional baby shower, which was called a Baby Bead Blessing. It was quite touching as we strung a bracelet for the mommy to be and wrote down prayers for the baby, prayers for the new one's impact on the world and prayers for the mother on her journey in motherhood. The experience properly reflected the beauty and dignity of motherhood. Then we had Uncle Bobby and Aunt Marcia over for dinner, took a nice leisurely walk and played a new game that Uncle Bobby had made. Fun!! Kids went to bed after 10.

Sunday morning consisted of church, then the Commerce City Car Show hosted by the Commerce City Rotary Club. We headed home after a trip to get Slurpies . . .and did yard/garage work. Our son earned $5 as he swept the entire garage, including cracks. I overheard him telling a friend that it was a "job so big that it was what 65 year-olds did!" I don't think he realizes that he's much better equipped for the task than a 65 year-old. . . I guess that age sounds very responsible to him! Sunday night we went to Dave and Busters with another couple and their children. We enjoyed getting to know them better. . . again, the kids were up past 10!

Monday morning Kevin ran the Bolder Boulder and he left the house before 6am, I didn't hear him leave. He ran and then had responsibilities with CU for the morning to show "Ralphie" the mascot - a true, living bison. The kids and I joined the Hermanson's and Kuetemeyer's at the Commerce City Memorial Day Parade and then BBQ'd at the Hermanson's afterward. I had the best potato salad EVER. Seriously. I don't even like potato salad. We headed to Boulder after that to another gathering for my friend Alana Wehinger and her son Dean who is about 5 mos. old. She and her husband have been living in Australia for nearly 4 years. Dean is a precious, precious baby! Alana was her warm, wonderful, adventurous self and it was as if no time had passed at all. I got to catch up with some other friends that were there as well. So, tonight we were bathing and prepping the kids for bed. . . and they're saying "but we're not tired!" Surprisingly, neither was I. I'm sure it will hit tomorrow!

Welcome to Candy Land!

Yesterday and today were filled with planting our annuals in pots and the front flower bed. Perrenials and bushes went in as well. I did the shopping at a local nursery - Picadilly Nursery in Brighton - where they actually helped me! I was greeted by about 4 employees, all eagerly tending to this or that and willing to assist me. Bliss. I did that shopping alone. Double Bliss. Last year, I attempted this feat with a 1 1/2 year old and 4 year old. Dear daughter sat in mud puddles, and tottered off down through the jungle aisles of plants. Dear son was as helpful as he could be, for a 4 year old. They had a great time - me, not so much!

So, the kids did go with me on Tuesday to shop at Home Depot. It was like Candy Land. We picked red, yellow, pink and orange - all hot and bright colors. Bremma demanded "PINK, PINK, PINK" and claimed her own set of petunias. . . they were pink. My visions of perfectly coordinated pots went out the window today in favor of a rainbow explosion of colors in each pot - truly Candy Land. My kids were really enthusiastic, and I had a great time with them. Our pots are beautiful, unique perhaps. . . but beautiful. My kids decided which flowers should go together, and I have the memories of their muddy feet and muddy hands helping me. Turin was the watering can man, and was reliable in getting all the "babies" wet. Bliss.

Turin's New Bible

I planned to post a picture with Turin "reading" his new bible, but I'm having some software issues with my camera/computer connection. In any case, Turin received a bible on Saturday as part of a moving on ceremony for our St. John Bosco Cooperative for Homeschooled Children. Next year he will participate in a bible study once a week with other kids his age.

I'm glad to see how attached he's become to his bible, which by the way seems to weigh 5 lbs! I would actually like to weigh it and see - it is large print, and therefore, very large in general! He's taken it everywhere since Saturday, and I've even had to ask him to leave it at home . . . I guess I don't want it to get too beat up!

This version of the bible has no pictures. His daddy saw him looking at in the car and asked if he was reading it. Turin replied, "Nope, it is a little too hard right now, but I just like to look at the pages. . . Jesus is in here."

I pray that he wants to continue looking for and finding Jesus.

Petit a' petit - Little by little . . .

Do you ever feel like you can't quite choose what the "best" use of your time and energy would be? I'm considering mowing the lawn, planning my garden, planning my son's schoolwork. . . while chasing down my 2 year old, who is out of her jammies, but running around in just underpants (too cute!). I'm needing to go to the grocery store, buy gifts at various other stores, and take dear son to soccer, then to a picnic/party. I guess the truth of the matter is, as the seasons change so do my projects and routines. I just haven't gotten in the groove yet, and with the little miracle growing inside of me - I'm just tired! So, here's to doing a little bit. . . baby step by baby step, or like they say it in french, "Petit a' petit, l'oiseau fait son nid." - translated to "Little by little, the bird builds his nest." This gives me hope!

Curses to Martha Stewart and Glitter!

So, I attempted the cute May Day craft last Thursday while I had my kids and 3 boys from another family over. All went well until my 2 year old commandeered the glitter. . . my floor will be magically sparkly until the 4th of July!

Birthday Blessings

My birthday was last Wednesday, and still the cards and presents are trickling in! I love this lingering part of any holiday or birthday celebration. . . It is like a bouquet of flowers that you know is going to fade out and pass its prime, but it persists as long as it can. I have such wonderful friends and family. It wasn't the quantity of cards or the presents that I received but it was the depth in which my friends and family know me, and they reflected that in what they said and offered. As I was writing thank you notes to my dear ones yesterday for their thoughtful actions and gifts, I became overcome with gratitude for the friends God has blessed me with! He has created a garden for me full of beauty and salve. My friends add beauty to the landscape. I have Poppy friends (truly her name is Popi!) and Roses. I have Lilacs who fill the world with dainty blossoms of kind deeds that come in such abundance! There are those that are like an evergreen, prevailing through all of life's storms and still green! Some friends are like medicinal herbs . . . there to comfort and soothe. Others have a more spicy flavor that adds an element of fun into the simplest of endeavors. The garden of friends that is being cultivated in my life is evidence of a good, wise, kind Father. Thank You, Lord!!

Twelve Hour Respite

My two darling children were put into bed, after a quick dunk in the tub at 6:15 pm last night. Sounds ridiculous, but my 2 year old was asleep within minutes and slept until about 30 minutes ago, 6:30 am. The 5 year old is still snoozing. Darling daughter is cheerful and singing this morning, the twelve hour respite seems to have turned her around! We'll see how my son does. Yesterday was a drama filled day with many "ouchies" and tears. This is what happens when he gets too tired, and he's to the age when naps don't work.

The early bed time gave me a chance to work on some homeschool planning for May and June. Today we are going to paint a May flower craft I found on Martha Stewart Living.com. We have a family of 3 boys coming over for the morning and also my 3 year old Godson. . . it will be a fun craft day. The weather is due to be cold and wet. . .

Beautiful Weekend

We kept plenty busy this weekend! Healthy Kids Day was sponsored by the University of Colorado, and we attended it - then off to Turin's soccer game. A wedding reception followed in the evening. My 2 year old daughter was mesmerized by the table decorations. There were small fish bowls as the center piece with a single gold fish in each. Needless to say, I believe that she attempted to climb up onto each table to see the fish. This made for a busy evening for mommy, and she dipped her hand in someone's water glass, and ate a butterball. Yum.

Fledgling Shredder

Our dear 5 year old son set a difficult reading goal in which the reward was learning to snowboard. Well, as of last Sunday he met the goal! So this week, his daddy took him up the hill (to Winter Park) and they spent the day falling down . . . getting up and falling down again. Dear Hubby said it was a good experience in persistence for our son. To my father, sorry Grandpa, you may have lost another one to snowboarding! My hubby and I fell in love as teenagers as he taught me to snowboard. My father, a skiier- thought I'd gone to the "dark side" - that the trend would pass. Yet here we are. . . 15 years later and teaching our baby to do it to! So, Grandpa, if you can't beat 'em, you better join 'em! Check out the photo below!

Day at the Museum

My son and I had a date today - at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We picked up Oma and enjoyed the Gold Exhibit, the Alps Imax movie (phenomenal) and a planetarium show about how to become an astronaut. Oma (my husband's mother) was so helpful and read the placards and signs so diligently to my son. Turin's favorite part was, "everything, but the best part was seeing real gold."

Fun Weekend

The kids and I were well fed this weekend on many levels - physically with homemade pizza on Friday night and blueberry pancakes and other yummy treats on Sunday morning. I was spiritually nurtured as I really enjoyed mass this morning - a mysterious haze settled over my children and they were so easy to manage, I nearly forgot they were there! Our hearts were fed by spending time with good friends and their children, who are my children's good friends. . .

Saturday. . .Projects

Dear hubby is at Winter Park, Colorado on a Men's Retreat/Ski Trip with his buddies. I am bouncing from one project to another. . .cleaned out the office closet which lead to two hours of shredding old financial documents. . . decided to paint magazine holders and ran out of paint. . . which leads to a trip to the craft store. . . also painting a toybox and shelf. . . which leads to a trip to the hardware store for another type of paint. . . wanted to rotate puzzles on the game table. . . which leads to taking inventory of puzzle pieces and arranging several wooden puzzles. Meanwhile, I haven't showered and it is 12:00. I might make a trip to the coffee shop for a major caffeine buzz so that I can work late into the night while my dear little ones sleep - or maybe I'll take a hot bath and go to bed!

Bride's "Matron" Dress?

Today I was fitted for a Brides Maid's dress, as I am to share the position of "Matron" of Honor with my sister-in-law for my cousin Lisa's wedding in August. It was an awkward experience, trying on the dress and being fitted with my kids running circles around me in the bridal shop. I could tell by the response from the gal helping me that I wasn't the traditional client that she was accustomed to. Especially as my dear daughter ran immediately to the shoe display while I had my hands out and a measuring tape across my breasts. She plucked the shiniest, pinkest shoe off the shelf and proceeded to put it on - she walked, with one shoe on, in a woman's high heel and didn't fall. Pure athleticism! My 2 year old daughter is full of "mirth" as her Godmother calls it. An ebuliant joie de vive! For a moment I imagined my daughter, as a woman visiting a bridal shop, and I hoped with all my heart that I'd be invited to go with her.

Mom wins! Ha ha!

Today was one of those fabulous days that comes so rarely that I feel the need to write it about it in order to remember it. You see, my kids were more exhausted by the end of the day than I was. In fact, I think I may have hours of energy left in me, and it is 10:22 pm. This is coming from a gal who likes to turn in at 9 pm, if I can. The kids and I went to Catholic Biblical School this morning, then ate a picnic lunch, went to the mall to make a small purchase, then to the Denver Public Library, followed by a trip to the swimming pool. Maybe this doesn't sound too impressive to you, but we were gone from 8:30 am until 8:15 pm. My two year old was grinning and singing most of the day - even without a nap. Let me just follow with a bit more explanation about the library - it is an event for us. Usually, that is the one activity that we'd go do in a day. We bring a huge stroller to carry books (and toddler!) and enough quarters for parking for 2 hours. We go to the kids' library and to various other sections of the building (it has 6 floors, I believe)- and we load up on materials. Today, the books checked out receipt was about 3' long - seriously. I am excited to start the book Eat, Pray, Love. I also found several items on Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, which has been a topic of interest lately. We listen to many audio lectures produced by Great Courses (lectures from highly accredited universities)and checked out the Early Middle Ages. Dear hubby called claims on that one, guess I'll listen to Ancient Egypt! And. . . a wonderful thing happened with my son - he chose his own books by reading through them, and not just relying on the pictures or asking me to read to him. Wow! Next trip he'll graduate to obtaining his own library card.