Good Friday

Last night while Ava and I talked about Holy Thursday and the last supper she asked me why today would be called Good Friday if they killed Jesus, how could that be good? I told her it was a good question and that I believed it was because without his death he would not have risen on Easter Sunday and then how could he have opened the gates of heaven for us. She seemed to understand and proceeded to tell Kohen all about the passion and stations of the cross. It warmed my heart to hear my almost six year old tell the story of Jesus's sacrifice. Hearing her tell him that she would skip the part about the spear because she didn't like it and it made her sad reassured me that we are doing something right and that she is definitely going to the right school. So often I talk to friends and wonder if I am doing a good job keeping my promise to raise my children to love God. When I was pregnant with Ava and was told she might have trisomy 18 or downs I promised the Lord he just allowed her to live I would raise her to praise and love him. I would do my best to remember he was just loaning her to me. I will be honest and say we don't make it to mass every Sunday and sadly we don't say Grace before every meal but we do speak of him often and I am trying to teach her that she is not alone ever and to turn to God and prayer when she needs comfort. I also remind her to give thanks to Him when good things happen. But then there are moments when she like all little children gets excited about the Easter Bunny and tell her brother that he always come to our house with lots of treats that I wonder does she really get the meaning? When she tells me that she almost fell asleep during stations at school because they were so long that I wonder I am keeping my promise? Listening to her take things out of her Benjamin Box and tell her little brother about Jesus's journey to Calvary that I know I am, we are. When Kohen looks at crosses and says look its Jesus on the "quas" with no clothes cause the bad guys took them I know we are. How do you teach your children to love the Lord?

Apps

A few weeks ago my students and I were doing the -ap word family and one came up with App. I told him it wasn't a real word and more an abbreviation. I now think it really is a word. My iPod is my favorite thing hands down. I have recently become obsessed with two games, We Doodle and Words with Friends. Like everyone else I also am very fond of Angry Birds in all versions. My kids fight over it all the time so they can play Angry Birds and Attack Balls. Now with two iPods in the house it is even more entertaining. I can't wait for the iPhone 5 to come to Verizon because I am SOOO on it, but for now I just keep adding to my saving for the iPad and dream of the day I can have more space to draw in We Doodle.

So fun!!

Well I may have had the best birthday ever. I achieved all my goals of having fun and sleeping in. My coworkers and I had a great dinner and such fun dancing. We also got in some good people watching. My dear husband was such a good sport and got me home safe and sound. I was able to stay in bed till noon and then my lovies came home. On Monday my actual birthday Kohen and Ava had soccer. It was so fun to see each of them running a field and having a good time outdoors. My Ellie and I just hung out on the side line, practiced her walking, and watching her sibs. We got home and celebrated with pizza and cake. The only thing missing was some time with my besties which I should be getting in a couple weeks. A group of friends and I are headed out to dinner for a late celebration and then the kids and I are meeting up with my best friend in NC for spring break!!

I am headed out!

In a break from tradition I have decided to celebrate my birthday with friends at a restaurant and then we are going clubbing. I am tried of acting like I am 31 turning 82 so our parents are watching the kids tonight and Kevin and I are going drinking and dancing! We are going to Rock Bottom for dinner then to Rumors. We will still take the kids to see the Cherry Blossoms in DC and I will still have a family party on Monday BUT for today at least MAMA is headed out! I dedicate my life to my kids and also to my students. I love my life and most days I wouldn't trade it for anything but then there are the early mornings that even though its Saturday Kevin and I are up at 7 and we wish that we could just sleep a little longer or the nights when we are home with sick kids and we remember being able to suggest going out and just do it. So tonight we are going to enjoy a kidless night and tomorrow we are going to sleep in. Of course at noon tomorrow my carriage will turn into a pumpkin and I will go back to being Mommy. Something tells me it will be even more fun having had a small break!

When Mama gets sick...

Daddy becomes a super hero. They finally got me. All the germs and illnesses that my littles have had in the last two months and stayed away from me are the ones laughing now. I have an upper respiratory infection that has kicked my butt! I either have the flu and a sinus infection or strep and a sinus infection. I am on 3 meds hoping they help and can say that today only my throat is really bothering me. Needless to say that since Tuesday K has been taking over as single parent and doing both jobs. He has been ever so nice about trying to let me rest and taking the kids out or keeping them downstairs as soon as he gets home. Cooking isn't his thing bless his heart so he has become even better at making breakfast for dinner. Got to love him! Today he took the older two kids shopping and left me home with Miss E. Can I just tell you how fun she is? Getting to know her is so interesting and entertaining because she is SO different from her siblings. Ellie is much more in your face, laugh at you while she pulls a fast one and so so eager to be boss of the kiddos. She knows what she wants and doesn't stop till she gets it. Helps that she has Kev and Ava wrapped around her pinky, but Koey and I know better. We know with all that fun and laughing comes some bit of trouble. Fun times I tell ya, Mama being sick=fun times! Off to have soup at my Moms!

Overwhelmed

How do you all do it? How do Moms and some dads keep it all together? I just can't seem to master this. We are going to be going through some big changes in the next couple months and they are stressing me out. We are listing our house for sale and the idea of having to get it in order scares me. I have let it tailspin out of control for so long I have no idea how to take charge. Everywhere I walk there are toys or reminders of kids. Forgot wrappers, books, crayons, pencils, shoes everything. I need a system to get it all decluttered and cleaned up but the idea depresses me. Needless to say much like the rest of America we live a super busy life. Kev and I both work till 5 and then we try to fit in as much time with our kids before bedtime that by the time 8:30-9 comes around cleaning is the last thing we want to do. On the weekend we are so busy trying to catch up on sleep, driving to and from birthday parties or visiting our parents that we don't make time to clean. How do you all do it? I really need suggestions or schedules to follow. I can hardly remember the last time I dusted. Sad I know.

HELLO Spring!

I am so happy to see you again! This winter has been so annoying kid sick rough. Thankfully nothing major but the kids have had ear infections, strep and stomach flues too often for my liking. I feel like we can't get into a rhythm because someone is always sick. I gave up on the 365 again. I have a whole bunch of pictures I never posted but at some point it became an added stress I didn't need. I am hoping spring will allow us all to get healthy and possibly get into a good routine. Miss Ellie is crying for dinner so I got to run but I hope to be back soon!