Catholic Conference

Tomorrow morning, EARLY, we will be off to Wichita, Kansas, for the Midwest Catholic Family Conference. Check in is at 7am and we have a 1 and 1/2 hour drive. The conference actually started tonight, but there were no activities planned for the kids, so we decided to wait until morning. I don't like getting up early, and especially that early. I'll have to feed the kids breakfast or they'll be starving before lunch, but who wants to eat at 5am? Not me, and I know I won't feel like making breakfast for other people, either. Dean is a stickler about not eating in the car, but just this once I may have to talk him into letting the kids nibble on dry cereal on the way. I see no other way around it.

I'm so excited about going that I know I won't sleep well. This is the first year we've been able to go and this is the 6th annual. We'll be staying with friends that used to live here. They are really good friends and all of the kids get along wonderfully. They also have six children, so we'll be 16 people under one roof----add to that one black lab pup and the fun begins!

We'll be leaving our dog with Grandma. She peed on my carpet today (the dog, not Grandma.) That makes me very upset. She pooped on a blanket today and once yesterday. She's house broken, so I think the change in her habits is because we've started chaining her up when she's outside as she's learned to run to the road. She doesn't like being chained and I guess thinks she can't do her business with the chain on. I mean, who could? I'm sure it's just a minor setback.

As I was trying to pack everyone tonight, Kathryn used my lack of attention to do some really fun 3-yr-old things. She squirted body lotion all over the carpet. She got into her 7 yr-old sister's "Hello Kitty" play make-up, causing a HUGE outburst from Karyn as this was a birthday gift she received yesterday. She tried to choke and kill the dog (honestly, I'm sad she didn't complete the job---that little pissin' hound!) She decided that it would be fun to knock over the laundry piles I had just folded. I guess these things are to be expected if I'm not paying much attention, but you'd think with as many people that live in this house that there would be no way she could do these things without someone seeing her. That's a wrong assumption. She's been on a rampage for three days now. Yesterday I actually counted the years until she would become a legal adult (15 years) and could move away. Now, that was a "good mommy" moment, huh?

I didn't make it to adoration today. I feel terrible as it was going to happen this morning, but life got in my way. I'm glad there is adoration at the conference. Adoration is one of my favorite things.

I'll be back Sunday night. Have a great weekend!

Would you like fries with that?

Well, I'm thinking that this is not my problem----eating foods like the ones shown here. My problem with being heavier than I'd like is probably portion control. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a long, greasy french fry now and then, but this is not the norm. I usually pick a healthier option when given the chance. I do see a big problem with obesity in our country. I am honestly AMAZED at all of the overweight teenagers that I see. I would say the majority being girls, but that may just be what I see here, locally. Seeing these fat teenagers has really pushed me to be a good example for my kids---helping them choose healthier snacks and gently reminding them that one more cookie may not be the best choice. I'm very encouraged by Alexa (see side for her blog link) and her weight loss. I think I'm finally ready to make the smart choice and get with a weight loss program. I don't think I've really been ready up to now, obviously, looking at my backside! Maybe it's because "middle age" is quickly approaching, or maybe it's just that I don't want to be known as another fat American, but the weight is coming off---SOON!! Maybe one day I'll be able to post "before" and "after" pictures.

Rosario

My mother-in-law's name is Rosario. In Spanish, it means Rosary. The rosary has been in my thoughts, very heavily, for the last few days. I don't know why. Probably guilt for being such a slacker on praying it this summer. I'm sure I've only prayed the rosary a handful of times this year. This is a strange season of my heart as I used to pray the rosary daily, sometimes even praying more than one mystery---sometimes all the mysteries.

As a family, we used to pray it every night before bed in the evenings. During the week, it was our tradition to pray only one decade as the toddlers would get VERY restless and we were getting nowhere. We would pray the whole mystery on Fridays and Saturdays, in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Immaculate Heart of Mary. This was good, and it worked very well for us. Now, I'm embarrassed to say that the little ones don't even know the prayers very well as it has been so hit and miss on our prayer time.

In today's Gospel, I could really relate to Peter when he questioned God and rebuked Him. I, too, have found myself asking, "Why God?" to some things. I'm very glad I have such a strong faith and can answer that question for myself, knowing "Thy will be done" and "not my will, but Yours." What do people of no faith do when these questions arise? How do they survive some days?

My resolution for today is to 1) Pray the Rosary with my family before the day is done and 2) remember to thank God for all his goodness.

Naked Ladies

Dean brought this "naked lady" into the house today. We have a little patch of them out by the road. This one was "injured" and he brought her in to save her. It had broken off at the base. I really like these flowers. I would like to plant more to make the patch a little thicker.

Well, my plan for chicken for supper got voted down. I took three of my children and my nephew to a local Mexican restaurant. I hired a sitter for the two younger ones, and Karyn went to Grandma's for the night. Dean is at work, so he missed the fun. The food made me horribly sick and I've just downed my first dose of Pepto-Bismol. Thank goodness I can have it every 1/2 hour! We had a wonderfully fun evening.

Marian Garden

One of my "wants" is to have a nice flower garden planted in the rock bed just outside the side entrance of my home. I've been looking through some plans, and I like this one. I want it to be a Marian Garden and I've looked into that. I'm hoping this Fall to be able to get out and get it started. I'm not very educated in gardening, although I love the thought of it. I wonder if I can plant flowers in the Fall? I suppose certain types can and certain ones can't be planted that late in the year. Research!!

Flippin'

This is Kristyn, doing her back layout on the trampoline. That's Karyn behind her and Paul to the left, both watching. Kathryn is over at the playhouse, in the orange shirt. It was not too hot this morning, so we all took advantage of playing outside. What fun it was!

My house, in the middle of my street

Here is my home. Dear Hubby, Dean, replaced the deck last summer--huge project. As you can see, I am in need of new windows. I really like Pella, but Pella is too expensive. One day I'll have new windows. For now, the kids like to eat! I don't like the red bench out front. I'm going to paint it white as soon as the summer heat subsides just a bit. It's 10:50am and I've already had a full day. I made waffles and bacon for the kids. I've done a load of dishes, a load of laundry, and changed one load from a diaper. Actually, a pull-up. I've played outside with the kids, and I've punished the dog for running away. I made sure one child got to band practice and one ready for a trip to Wichita,KS, for an orthodontic appointment. Dean took her. I still have two loads of laundry to do, dishes, make my bed, and dusting to do today. I think I'll make baked chicken for supper. I'd love to have homegrown veggies to go with the chicken. Sure wish I would have gotten busy and planted a garden this year. I went to the farmer's market on Saturday morning and spent a fortune. I spent $4 for 12 potatoes (not very big ones, either) when I could have bought a 5lb. bag for $.99 at Wal-Mart. I was a little disappointed when I had to pay that much, but I was too embarrassed to say anything, so I just paid and went on my way. They were delicious, though! I now see why people love blogging so much. I'm having a blast, and I'm just doing the basics. I'm going to have to limit myself on how much computer time I can have---just like one of the kids!
In my Gospel meditation today, Matt. 15: 21-28, I was very touched, once again, by the mercy of Jesus to the woman that wanted her daughter healed. She was granted her wish because of her great faith. My resolution today is to seek a greater faith, knowing that God knows and wants all that is good for me. I need to be on my knees, seeking Christ, "Lord, help me."

One of Many

Philip, my oldest. Isn't he a handsome lad?

Dog Days of Summer

I took the kids swimming today at Grandma's house. It was a rather "cool" day for August in Oklahoma---only in the upper 80's. This pic is of my 4 yr. old son, Paul, as he landed in the water, going off of the slide.

I went grocery shopping and birthday shopping this evening. My middle daughter will be seven in a few days and I had nothing planned or bought for her. I bought two pair of capri jeans at 70% off. She loves clothes. I also got a cute, green shirt with sequined butterflies on the front. Also 79% off!! I love a bargain!

After seeing myself in a picture taken today, I have decided that I must be morbidly obese and I need to do something NOW about my weight. I was mortified. I had a really "good" eating day today. I made good choices, I had good portion control, and I had plenty of water. I will be working on losing weight as it is a must. The time is now.

August---Already!!

I've been reading Alexa's blog http://ibetyourememberme.blogspot.com for several months. I've been taking "notes" from her on what's interesting to write about and have very much enjoyed the different template styles she has used. Thanks, Alexa, for the help you've given me once or twice and I thank my nephew for taking the time to help me get this rolling. I really know NOTHING (well, more today than yesterday) about computer mechanics, so his help is MUCH appreciated! More later..............

Okay, I think this is going to work! Pretty flower, huh? I'll be experimenting for a few posts just to see if this all goes well.