Daily Routines

I'm working on adjusting to a summer schedule . . . and it's already July 11! I think I need to revamp my morning routine to add these things since it is nice and cool out, and I don't usually shower until after I've worked out anyways.

Check Ralphie for Food and Water
Weed the Garden 15 minutes
Weed the Yard 15 minutes
Read the newspaper (hubby asked me to scan for articles pertaining to state issues. . . ) a new assignment.

Oh, and put on sunscreen!

Patio Pals

Last night I enjoyed a balmy evening in the company of some very good friends. We sat around the table on the patio, amidst the tiki torches and candles. Sans children. Sans husbands. We chatted and giggled and had a nice, relaxing evening.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I'm going to start this reflection every Monday. Today, however is a Thursday . . . but it's been on my mind since Monday, does that count?

Outside my window . . . mango tinged day lillies are blooming as they stand 3 feet tall.

I am thinking . . . I need to spend some time hoeing the garden and harvesting some produce.

I am thankful for . . . my dad.

From the kitchen . . . wafts the fragrance of zucchini enveloped in cinnamon.

I am wearing . . . shorts and a pink t-shirt with a pony-tail and sunscreen.

I am creating . . . campaign literature and volunteer guidelines for hubby's campaign.

I am going . . . to spend the evening with dear girl friends on the porch drinking cocktails.

I am reading . . . Three Cups of Tea, which is one of the reasons I was up too late ;)

I am hoping . . . that my body will heal quickly and we can try for another baby this fall.

I am hearing . . . so many people are concerned about the "state of the nation" as I've been walking precincts with my husband.

Around the house . . . there are projects on almost every flat surface.

One of my favorite things . . . is painting. It has been too long, and I want to start doing it again.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week . . . to consolidate our travel plans for next week. To get my dad where he needs to go.

Lillies

My dear neice Hanna was commissioned by me to create a piece of art work using my day lillies as the inspiration. Check out her great work!

She has been such a tremendous help! We washed the floor together, she picked mint leaves and washed them for mojitos. We made her a virjito or a mohirgin (however you like to say it) of her own. She kept up with Brempadoodles - a busy 2 1/2 year old that just discovered she can climb! (Dryers, cabinets, tables . . .) This is my girl who loves goo - lotion, shampoo, soap, and nail polish. She will find it. She will use it.

Gimpy, Limpy and Wimpy

My family is seemingly afflicted with health problems at the time being.

Meet Gimpy -
My father was in an automobile accident on the Fourth of July in which a drunk drive attempted suicide by aiming at my father's semi-truck for a head on collision. He averted major disaster, but did end up with a torn spleen and an inoperable truck. No one was killed. I pray for the confused soul who was so hopeless as to attempt this stunt. God bless my sister, who drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico to get him. They are on their way back to Denver as we speak. He'll be spending the week here to recover as his wife is in Alaska.

Meet Limpy -
My mother, who lives in New Castle, Colorado spent yesterday getting shots in her feet - OUCH! She's been suffering with plantar fascitis for a prolonged time and now is off of work and feeling pretty limpy.

Meet Wimpy -
I had a nice little go around with a hemorraghic corpus luteum on Sunday and after not being able to sit or walk without agonizing pain, ended up in bed with a Percoset while my kids climbed all over me and tried to watch movies. Dear hubby tried to keep them occupied, but mom is a magnet no one can resist (ha ha). The diagnosis is rest and time, with lots of ibuprofen and if needed, something a little stronger. I was concerned it was some complication miscarriage related, but other than wacky hormones - the doctor's believe I'm on the right track to getting well.

So this may explain why I've been a little blog blocked lately. I do have some amazing 4th of July holiday tales - like Turin shouting across the grass "Hey mom, I need another cigarette!" I'll post about that one soon . . . And my fun and ornery family being here on Saturday night to make pizza for the family dinner party for Turin's 6th birthday. Life is good.

Fourth of July

Happy 4th! God Bless America!

Bling@!

We participated in Randy and Stephanie Tedy's wedding this weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado. It was a beautiful event, unique and perfectly suited to the couple's tastes and personalities. We felt so welcome and special and I believe everyone did! They were so considerate of everyone . . . including pictures of all the wedded family members, remembering those who had passed and were not with us, and even Aunt Marcia remembering my son's birthday gift at her own son's rehearsal dinner. Wow.

After the Blessing of the Hands poem was read (at which point I was weeping!) my favorite part of the ceremony was when Randy feigned forgetting the ring. The groomsmen played along, all very dramatically. I wasn't fooled, though. This is a prankster family . . . (at which point I was laughing).

When he finally "found" it, he pulled out a spectacularly huge upgrade to what the bride was expecting. The moment was classic. It was a movie scene, or better yet - a diamond commercial! Zales, they one-upped you!

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. . .