It's been a year and we are both still alive, mostly...

It's hard to believe that I was 25 and you were 35 when we met. It seems like a lifetime ago, not just 7 years ago. People essentially say that you robbed the cradle, but I'm quick to interject that it isn't so...you have the same mentality as I do...now whether that means you are 32 or 41 that remains for them to decide. lol

It's such a weird place to be. I remember our like 3rd date, remember the parrot? I still say that woman was speaking and not the parrot. But not you, oh no, you had to fight tooth and nail that those types of parrots can speak for themselves and that voice was all parrot. You just knew. ARGH! I wanted to go home right then and there because you were such a stubborn @$$. How could anyone have fun with you and your nerdy always needing to be right ways. Really, who could?

You haven't changed. It's still a sore spot. Your stubbornness and know it all ways.

But you had so much life, you were passionate about things, I thought you were honest and I felt you were real and you were so smart. My sisters call you the rolling encyclopedia. We just seemed to fit together whether we liked it or not. We were both totally stubborn brats.


Even though I had already been engaged twice, you are the one and only guy I ever introduced to my family. You were just as amazed as I was at how my grandmother was able to steal a salt and pepper shaker set (complete with napkin coverings) so it wouldn't spill in her purse right before our very eyes and unbeknown to us. You took it all in without hesitation and you were quickly welcomed into my family.

Little did you know just how much my family was going to become our family. But even when that happened and the kids came to live with us and I wanted to send them back. You were the voice of reason, you were more than happy to take them in and you've been accepting of them as your own and they even call you Daddy.

I am so lucky.

I know I am. Even when I lose my patience. Even when I want to run away. Even when I want to just disappear forever. I know I am so very lucky.

You spoil me every chance you get. You make dinner, get the kids to do their homework and shower and in bed when I am just too tired or can't anymore at the moment.

I don't think you know it but you keep me going. I often think, if it were just me on my own, I wouldn't be doing this. But with you there, it makes it a lot easier knowing that I am not alone and that at any given moment we are together, hating on the kids in unison and for the same reasons. lol

You work so hard and I know it. I just don't tell you. I don't know why. But I guess I am telling you now. I appreciate you and everything you do.

We are a team for life and ever after.

Happy Anniversary!

I Love You bunches and bunches and bunches and bunches!

Menu Plan Monday

Last week I didn't have a menu because I wasn't sure about the weather. I love to BBQ and boy did I everyday of last week. Cheeseburgers, Teriyaki Chicken, BBQ shortribs. Well except for Sunday because the weather changed. Instead I made a spiral honey ham and I have to admit my house still smells like sweet honey ham, yum!

Anyway, this week, it looks like the weather is going back to icky so I will menu plan with the idea that it's up for modifications depending on the weather but shhh, don't tell the weather that.

Monday: Beef and Cheese Enchiladas and Rice.
Tuesday: Cheeseburgers and Fries.
Wednesday: Ham sandwiches with Chips.
Thursday: Lasagna, French Bread and Green Salad.
Friday: Ribeye Steaks, Angel Hair Pasta and Green Beans.
Saturday: Meatball Soup.
Sunday: Taco Salad with Chips.

For great menu ideas, visit Laura.

New Family Member

I know, I know...I am a sucker. But how can you say no to this little face?
He's a 2 and a half year old Maine Coon kitty. That translates to HUGE! I am amazed by him. I've never had such a lovable kitty nor one who actually comes when he is called. Really!

His name is Mook. I looked up what it means and it's not good. Unfortunately, He's partial to his name already. He especially likes being called The Mookster.

Seriously, not by my creation either, his paperwork stated that and it's very true. I like calling him Mook-a-latte. Hubs likes calling him Mook-a-chino. As you can see...THAT he does not like.

Shut it already, will ya? Sheesh!

Easter 2008

I know it's a week later; but dang Spring Break is kicking my booty. Well, actually having them all home and having one particular child go psycho is kicking my butt. But another story for another time. Oh and yes, said child is missing from Easter pictures. Sadly, she couldn't control herself from extreme outbursts to participate in Easter. Sucks.

Here are the kiddos ready for Easter Vigil Mass. We went to Easter Vigil Mass last year for the baptismals and liked it so much we decided to go back again this year. I don't know if we will go again next year because the mass doesn't get out until after midnight and the kids were a wreck.

Fast forward to Easter Sunday Morning, Easter Baskets. Luckily I was ready as soon as these things hit the stands. I know it's the lazy way out but my kids still haven't learned to take care of their things properly and they have bad teeth. So the cheap toys and one strip of 4 or 5 candies is perfect. Although the Oldest gets a homemade basket because she is older. Except there was a miscommunication with the Easter Bunny this year. He forgot to put any candy in this particular basket. Oops. Better luck next year EB! Next, Easter Egg Painting! I make some real eggs for painting and hide the fake eggs.
Here's CDQ modeling after her egg. She's almost an entirely different kid now. It's amazing.
Here's Strawberry Shortcake painting her fingers and her eggs. I think she got more dye on herself then she did on her eggs. The Boy enjoyed dyeing the eggs somewhat , now that we know that he has the mentality of a newly three year old, it makes it easier to cope with him and the things that he does. I think he'll be able to catch up to his real age in no time though.
Unfortunately for all the prettiness of the eggs, I made a mistake and didn't cook them thoroughly so...darn! I have never had that happen before. At least we had 150 of these for the egg hunt. I don't have pictures of the hunt because I recorded it with the camcorder.
Lastly at Easter Dinner, I pulled these out. They are called Resurrection Eggs. They tell the story of Jesus from birth to death. Each egg is opened individually and inside is something tangible that reflects a period of Jesus story.

The donkey for his birth, the coin for Judas' sell out. Etc... The kids passed them around as I read from the booklet. Having those items to touch and think about, I believe gave a deeper meaning to the kids. Seeing and holding the items somehow made it a little different. I could tell.

I think these eggs will become a new tradition, along with our talking Easter bunny who gives a short rendition of the real meaning of Easter.

All and all it was a good one. I hope your Easter was too!

Spring Reading Thing 2008

The Spring Reading Thing over at Callapidder Days is now under way. Here is my reading list:

1. The Penny (Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford)
2. Before I Say Goodbye (Mary Higgins Clark)
3. No Place Like Home (Mary Higgins Clark)
4. Knitting Rules! (Stephanie Pearl- McPhee)
5. The Summer of the Swans (Betsy Byars)
6. The Essential Feminist Reader (Edited by Estelle B. Freedman)
7. On The Street Where You Live (Mary Higgins Clark)
8. Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles- The Nixie's Song (DiTerlizzi and Black)
9. The Spiderwick Chronicles Special Edition: Goblins Attack (DiTerlizzi and Black)
10. The Spiderwick Chronicles Special Edition: Great Escape (DiTerlizzi and Black)
11. The Spiderwick Chronicles Special Edition: Troll Trouble (DiTerlizzi and Black)
12. New Day New You (Joyce Meyer)
13. Insomnia (Stephen King)
14. Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness! (Cornelia Funke)
15. Ghosthunters and the Muddy Monster of Doom! (Cornelia Funke)
16. Women and Money (Suze Orman)
17. Parenting with Love & Logic (Cline and Fay)
18. The Everyday Life Bible (Joyce Meyer)
19. Catechism of the Catholic Church
20. Starting Your Day Right/ Ending Your Day Right (Joyce Meyer)
21. Guide to Everyday Math
22. OpenOffice.org
23. Arco GRE Guide
24. Conflict Free Living (Joyce Meyer)
25. HTML and XHTML Step by Step
26. The Confident Woman (Joyce Meyer)
27. Battlefield of the Mind (Joyce Meyer)
28. Battlefield of the Mind for Kids (Joyce Meyer)
29. Woman to Woman (Joyce Meyer)
30. How to Prepare for the GRE (Barron's)
31. The Ultimate Math Refresher

So that's my list for now. I know it will change as my holds at the library come in. It might seem big but I spend a lot of time waiting. lol Doctor's offices, school parking lots, etc...

I can't wait to see what others are reading. To join or check out some cool reading lists don't forget to visit Callapidder Days!

Stuff Portrait Friday

Being a Girl!




I haven't yet figured out how to put these three together into one picture but the three of them together like this in tutus is my favorite because I know where they are coming from (somewhat) and to see them like this...childlike and girly and just having fun. Some how watching them glide around in their tutus makes me feel hopeful for them.

I can see when they have their tutus on all their troubles and their past melt away and just for those moments at least they feel normal and special and beautiful. My girls can escape to their own world where they don't have to worry about something bad happening to them and they can be powerful and in control. Yep, all from a tutu and that is why these are my favorite. I've never been much of a girly girl but I want my girls to have those feelings and if the tutu helps make them feel that way, I am all for it! lol

What's your favorite picture?

For more Stuff Portrait Friday, visit Kristine.


Beautiful Princess Tutus by The Decorated Duckling.

Tackle It Tuesday

It's Tuesday and yet again, I won't be home much today. Seems like I try to avoid scheduling things on Monday because it's Monday and then end up overdoing it on Tuesday. Does anyone else do that?

Anyhoo, I was supposed to tackle filing but I have searched high and low for a new filing cabinet and to my dismay no stores in my area have any yet.

Since I am soooooclose to finishing a baby quilt I started 12 years ago, (I know, 12 years is a looong time--but I don't give up. lol) I'm going to work on that and updating my craft blog between now and next Tuesday.

So for now here's a picture of the progress on the baby blanket.

To see what everyone else is tackling visit 5 Minutes for Mom.